MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1918, Page 8

MOTHER COUNTRY.

£2,000,000,000,

DAMAGES DUE FROM GERMANY

London, Nov. 2S. Mr Churchill stated that the estimated damages due from Germany are at least two thousand million sterling. The obtaining of that, amount would be a long and laborious process.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

Mr Clusvchiii, in his speech at Dundee, said that the expense;: of the ivar could tot possibly be recovered from the Germans. Ai! no could (;ct was reparation for tiho damage done, 'fliers was a demand i'or ton for ton in shipping, but Germany must be fed, therefore we might, make the Germans build ships for. i:s instead <•£ taking ships from them.

VATICAN AMBITIONS,

ROME a>:d temporal power

THE POPE'S SCHEME.

Rome, Nov. 27.

Vatican prelates confirm the report that the Holy See will submit the Roman question to the Peace Conference, requesting a settlement between the Vatican and Quirir.al.

It is also stated that the Pope has personally prepared a plan under which ho will have greater liberty of movement, while tlio installation of wireless in the Vatican will enable tSie Holy See to communicate with foreign Governments and the Nuncios.

The Pope is also billing to accept the annuity of one million lire which Italy has offered since 1870, but which has never yet been accepted.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A-s.l

LABOR PROGRAMME,

REVOLUTIONARY CHANGES,

London, i\ T ov. 27.

The Labor election programme refers to Labor's share in the victory and states that the democratic diplomacy expressed in Labor's war aims has been a popular factor in winning the war ami will be a powerful factor in rebuilding the world. Labor demands a pcarn of international co-operation and opposes secret diplomacy and any form of rcotiomie war. It demands, as an essential .art, of the peace treaty, that an international laboi charter should be incorporated in the (structure of the League of Free People.

Labor welcomes the extension ef liberty and democracy in Europe. It demands the immediate withdrawal of the Allied forces from Russia. The programme includes freedom for Ireland, the abolition of conscription, the repeal of the Defence of the Realm Acts, the nationalisation of the land, mines, railways, shipping, armaments, and electric power, free and open education for all, a million good houses, a levy on capital, and free trade.

Labor proposes to pay the war debt by a, special 'tax on capital, also t"iat thorg who have made fortunes out of tho war must pay for it. The programme concludes ft'it'h a protest against a large part of the youth of the" nation being arbitrarily di3frar.-

ME. ASQUITH OPPOSED BY COALITIONISTS.

Received Dec. 1, 5.5 p.m.

London.

Nov. 28.

At East Fife the Coalitionists oppose Mr. Asquith, mainly on the question of free trade and Home Rule.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.