MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

HIGH PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS. STATEMENT BY BONAP LAW, Received Feb. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 13. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law said it was questionable whether Government control causes high prices of foodstuffs. The Government was at present considering how to reduce prices. The suggestion was without foundation that the Treasury was interfering for the purpose of selling at their own prices.—Reuter. REDUCING FOOD PRICES. CABINET COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 14. Believing that food prices are largely the cause of industrial unrest, the Premier is appointing a Cabinet committee to consider means of reducing prices.— Aus. NX Cable Assoc. INCOME-TAX INCIDENCE. ROYAL COMMISSION APPOINTED. Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 14. The Government is appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the incidence of the income-tax, including the double taxation of colonial incomes.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. NEW LABOR MINISTER. THE FOOD PROBLEM. Received Feb. 10, 11.50 p.m, London, Feb. 14. It is expected that Mr. G. N. Barnes (formerly Minister without portfolio) will succeed Mr. R. S. Home as Minister of Labor with Cabinet rank. Mr. Roberts denies that the Ministry of Food is holding up supplies. Ho states that nothing worse could happen than to release the control, thus sending prices up. The Treasury is prepared to cut its losses on fond stocks when a particular commodity becomes stable. The Treasury is prepared to unload stocks at the world price, regardless of loss. Mr. Clynes, in an interview, said that no substantial reduction in food prices was probable until greatly increased overseas supplies arrived.—Aus. N.Z Cable Assoc. PRISONERS IN GERMANY. THOUSANDS UNACCOUNTED FOR. Received Feb. 16, 11.50 p.m. London, Feb. 14. Mr. Winston Churchill (Secretary for War) announces that there are 04,800 British prisoners still unaccounted for in Germany. The authorities are assisting in the search. There is no confirmation of the existence of secret prison camps.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. DEPORTATION OF BOLSHEVIKS. Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 14. The violinist, Soermus, and two oth~: Jew Bolshevist propagandists have been deported.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. CLEARING OUT ALIENS. Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 13. The Government has decided on a strong policy in order to clear the country of undesirable aliens. Directly the Russian ports are available the undesirables will be returned en masse.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. N.Z. RED CROSS FUNDS. Received 16, 11.50 p.m. London, Feb. 14. ' Tha New Zealand Red Cross, from May 1916 to November 30 received an income of £160,579, the expenditure being £12*2.724, including salaries and administration £3427, field staff salaries and allowances, £84,117, free comforts £31,209. The balance-sheet shows assets at £82,658, including canteen stocks £52,272, unredeemed New Zealand coupons £•22,008, but the outstanding liabilities on account of trading total £20,928 and bank overdraft £13,873. The net profit on the trading operations was £15,214, which was added to the Free Comforts Fund for dugout?, trencTTes and base camps, making the iatter £46,505-