MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE TRANSPORT BILL. FAVOURABLY RECEIVED. Received Mareli 25, 5.5 p.m. London, March 19. In the House of Commons the principal opposition to the Transport Bill emanated from representatives of the dock interests. Sir E. Carson said he distrusted stark mad concentrations. The Government we're gluttons for centralisation, whereas decentralisation always led to greater efficiency. Mr. Tionar Law said he was gratified at the recepti'on of the Bill, which was largely due to Sir Erie Geddes creating the impression that he was able to deal with the gigantic task. Never in the past had there been a real transportation policy. An unanswerable ease had been made out for the control of the railways. Although there would be a control in running the docks, this could only be done by delegating to responsible ftuthorities.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aaan. LOW BIRTH RATE. London, March IS. The births in the fourth quarter of IMS in England and Wales were 101,775 and the deaths 241,218. It is the first occasion oft which the deaths have exceeded the births since registration began. The influenza was largely responsible, but there would have been an excess without influenza. The figures for the whole of 1018 wefe: Births (103,773, deaths 011,991. The average annual excess of births over deaths in the previous five years was 237,064. The birth-rate for 1918 was 17.7, the lowest recorded.—Aus. IT.Z. Cable Assoc. PROGRESSIVE LIBERALISM. London, March 14. The Manchester Liberal Federation has formulated its own political scheme on advanced progressive lines. Though it disavows opposition to the central organisation, it is believed in some quarters that the scheme marks the beginning of a new phase of Liberalism.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.