MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE TRANSPORT PROBLEM. A BEGENERATED SYSTEM ESSENTIAL. .Received March 23, 5.5 p.m. London, March 22. Sir Erfc Geddes, in the House of Commons, in moving the second reading of the Ways and Communications Bill, said a regenerated system of transport was essential for housing, health, agriculture, and a great variety of other problems on which the future of the country depended. The present system was wasteful, disorganised, and semi-|>araly>e<l Private interests must yield to the State's interest. Private enterprise meant a colossal waste. He was not committed to the nationalisation of the railways and other methods of transport, but it might be necessary to adopt it some day as the only way of obtaining an economical, unified system. The new working costs, due to wages and other high charges, would cripple British industries unless some method were found for keeping freights and fares down.— Am. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

COLOSSAL WASTE. DRASTIC ACTION NECESSARY. Received March 23, 11 p.m. London, March 22. An expert estimated that unity of control of the railways would result in a saving of £20,000,000 yearly, but something more drastic was necessary. The greatest saving could be effected by the intrwUwtion of electricity. The waste on empty haulage before the war was colowal, and would be largely eliminated by the Government acquiring the 700,000 private waggons, which were often travelling empty. The railways were working at a loss of £250,000 daily, and would receive a Government subsidy for a further two years, in accordance with the pltdge given at the outbreak of war. The development of motor traction was brrolring the keeping of roads in good condition in the most important agricultural districts. Mr T. P. O'Connor, in moving the rejection of the Bill, said practically every dock and harbor authority in the Kingdom was against the Bill. Mr. Thomas announced Labor's general support of the Bill's principles. Mr. Donald McLean approved of the measure. It was desirable to check unnecessary competition, but competition at docks in the past fostered shipping. Mr. Short said the whole intention of the Bill was to have a broad nationa 1 outlook in developing traffic instead of local competition. The question of nationalisation must be determined by the House of Commons. It was impossible for the railways to return to the system of unfettered competition.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

OVERSEAS FROZEN MEAT. ■AMERICAN TRUSTS FAVORED. BRITISH PUBLIC iSOBEED. Received March 33. 11.30 p.m. London, March 22. ■Th« Star, referring to New Zealand's complaint that a million carcases of West which the British Government purchased duriru; the war await shipment, while inferior American moat is selling •t high price* in the United Kingdom, declares the Food Ministry throughout has played into the hands of the American meat trade Britain possesses in the Anstrakdian meat supplies a powerful weapon against the trust, but the Government declines to use it Ths Governments policy irritates Australasia, and helps the trust to rob the ■British consumers.—Aus-N.Z Able Awn. REPATRIATING OVERSEAS TROOPS. WARSHIPS MAY BE USED. JUecived March 23, 11.30 p.m. London, March 22. /he Admiralty is willing to employ wurahipa for " repatriating overseas troops if crews are available It la pointed out that the American warships repatriating Americans are in good order t*c*uae they did not participate actively in the war. ANGLO-AMERICAN EXCHANGE. SITUATION VIEWED WITH ANXIETY. Received March 23, 5.5 p.m. London, March 21. The removal of the British Government control of the Anglo-American exchange caused a further decline in New York today to 4$ dollars. The situation is viewed with anxiety in Britain, because the prevailing industrial unrest diminishes the proapect of increased export trade to America.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. 'GENERAL PAU RETURNS. TIES WITH AUSTRALIA STRENGTHENED. Received March 23, 6.5 p.m. London, March 18. General Pau, on arrival, said his missions and receptions had greatly strengthened the Franco-Australian ties. M. Siegfreid said the social equality was the moat attractive feature of Australian life. Australia was the most democratic country in the world.—Aus. and N.Z. CaW* Assoc. THE CHANNEL TUNNEL. Received March 23, 5,5 p.m. London, March 22. The Australian Press Association learna that the Admiralty is prepared to agree to the Channel tunnel if certain conditions as to indestructibility are observed.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.