MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

OVERSEAS FOOD TRADE. DEMAND FOR ECONOMY IN FINANCE. A SERIOUS POSITION. Received March 20, 5.15 p.m. London, March 20. The Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club entertained Mr. McCurdy, who said the Food Ministry was hoping to restore unfettered trade with Australasia as quickly as possible. The purchase of wheat and meat in America was essential during the war, as it was possible to get four cargoes from there compared with one from Australia. The price paid to the American Meat Trust was.governed by the price paid by the United States War Office, which took flO per cent, of the Trust's supplies, compared with the British 10 per cent. The Ministry for Food was obliged to pool supplies, average the cost, and sell meat at a flat rate directly. The tonnage available for free imports of Australian and New Zealand products would be restored. Urgent demands for economy in national finance were made during the House of Commons debate. Mr. George Lambert said it was probable the country would be faced by an appalling budget, totalling fifteen hundred millions. Sir F. G. Banbury said the continuation of the present rate of expenditure would result in national bankruptcy. The unemployment donation amounted to a premium on idleness. The increase in the issue of currency notes was now. amounting to 321 millions against a gold reserve of twenty millions. This was a serious feature. Sir D. Mac Lean urged a revision of the army, navy, and air estimates before June. Mr. Austen Chamberlain agreed to a re-examir.ation. In the light of the peace terms our yearly expenditure in the future would be greater than our prewar debt, and could only be met by increased production, increased efficiency, and greater exports.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. THE KEY INDUSTRIES. QUESTION OF IMPERIAL PREFERENCE. Received March 26,10.55 p.m. London, March 25. Mr. Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, said the Government intended to fulfil the letter and spirit of Mr. Lloyd George's promises to protect the key industries. They would carry the Imperial Preference Bill, which was now ready, to prevent dumping, but a complete examination was necessary regarding other industries. There was no guarantee that the war would have been won without the Dominion troops. Therefore no one was able to say now that Imperial preference would not be useful to the Empire. The Government would survey the entire field and then present the House with a complete policy.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. GERMAN STEAMERS ARRIVE. Received March 20, 8.10 p.m. London, March 25. Fifteen German steamers have arrived in the Thames, and 100 are due at Leith. They will be used for food carrying. THE UKRAINE POSITION. Received March 20, 8.10 p.m. London, March 25. Mr. Harmsworth, in the House of Commons, said the situation in Ukraine was obscure. The Government had apparently collapsed before the Bolsheviks, who advanced on certain sectors. There was no immediate danger at Odessa. Its evacuation was not intended.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. GOVERNMENT STOCKS OF WHEAT, Received March 20, 8.15 p.m. London, March 25. Mr. G. H. Roberts (Food Minister), in the House of Commons, said that Government stocks of wheat were 285,503 tons; flour, 202,708 tons; frozen meat, 42,659 tons; canned meat, 18,500 tons; bacon, 25,808 tons; tea, 45,954 tons.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. INCREASED DUTIES ON ALCOHOL. London, March 25. It is anticipated that the new Budget will provide for an increase in the duties on wines, beer and spirits.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A BY-ELECTION. London, March 25. At the Oxford University by-election the voting was: Professor Oman (Coalitionist) 2013; Professor Gilbert Murray 1330. Mr Tthelstan Riley (Independent) 1032. EXPULSION OF ALIENS. London, March 25. Lord Jersey, in the House of Lords, foreshadowed the drastic expulsion of interned aliens. The number was now 6000, of whom 4000 would probably desire to remain. Lord Jersey had advised them to the effect that most of them would be expelled, though they would be allowed the right of appeal to a tribimnal. The Primate and others appealed for a less drastic measure and Lord Jersey promised that all cases would be considered on their individual merits. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. JAPANESE COMPETITION. London, March 25. Bishop Frodsham, Canon of Gloucester (late of Queensland), stated that it was no insult to say the Japanese could undersell us because of the conditions under which they lived. These were unlikely to continue indefinitely, but Japanese economic competition to-day woulil wreck- all the ideals of the Australian workers regarding homes, leisure, and family life. Unrestricted immigration would destroy the new-born ideas of a White Australia. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FOOD MINISTRY PROFITS. Received March 20. 5.5 p.m. London,- March 20. The Food Ministry reports that the profits amounted to" £132,203 on last year's sales, on a total line of £1,500,000. The administrative expenses were two per cant—AUS..N.Z. Cable Aaaa.