MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

MR. COOK INTERVIEWED. CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE. Received August 27, 12.30 a.m. London, August 25. Mr. Cook (Federal Naval Minister), interviewed, said he had special opportunities to investigate anti-submarine measures. He saw them in actual operation, and the impression left, after seeing the fleet, was one of supreme power through efficiency and wonderful organisation under able and capable leadership on which the people can rely absolutely. . The same may be said of the work in ne shipyards and munition factories. Frantic energy is displayed everywhere, and will make' for the complete defeat of the enemy in the not far distant future. If the people will stop striking each other and strike the enemy instead, the end would never be in doubt. There had been a wonderful revival of the national spirit, and if the burdens were piled up for the future there would also be handed to the future a rejuvenated and highly-developed capacity to meet the burdens. If the skill and ingenuity now displayed in the art of warfare is continued in the economic life of the nation, it will be quite equal to the future tasks. Mr. G'ook said he was filled with admiration 'for the women's work on munitions and other industrial activities.—Press Assn. A GENERAL ELECTION. THE PREMIER'S VIEWS. Received August 26, 5.5 p.m. Lortdon, August 25. The Sunday Times says Mr. Lloyd George regards a general election from the constitutional standpoint.- He considers that unless the new electorate now including the country's fighting youth iand untired womanhood, is consulted, parliamentary government be-i comes a farce and a by-word. Moreover,- a general election in which all the polls are held on the same day would be far less disturbed than elections in the past. , i The Observer says that a general eleeI tion in November is practically certain, as the Government is unwilling to ask for a further prolongation of Parliament's life.—Press Association. RAILWAY STRIKE. WORKERS DECIDE TO REMAIN OUT. Received 1.45 a.m. London, August 26. There has been a sharp conflict between the National Union of Railwaymen and the London branch concerning the tube women's strike. Mr. Thomas, M P., on behalf of the former's executive, repudiated the strike, but the latter's officials endorse the strike and hope to make the dispute a national one. Twelve hundred strikers, including many men. to-dav decided to remain out until the dispute'was settled. Mr. Prothero has settled a number of farm workers' grievances, which threatened to seriously affect the harvest. The farmers have agreed to 30s for 64 hours weekly, with 13d hourly overtime, as the minimum wage, thus.allowing skilled men to receive more.—Press Assoc.