MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

AN AMERICAN WELCOME. KING TO TAKE THE SALUTE. Reeelved May 12, 10.15 p.m. London, May 7. It has been decided to give General Pershing and his American generals an official welcome on the 22nd. They cross the Channel in a British warship. The streets of London will be lined with troops. General'Pershing will lead the procession of American troops on the 24th, the King taking the salute at Buckingham Palace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ANTI-TRUST INQUIRIES. Received May 12, 10.15 p.m. London, May 7. The Government committee on trusts aDd combines Teports that there is no proof of offences against the public good, but there is a likelihood of British trade comhines becoming a public danger, and legal powers should be taken to investigate their working.—Aus.-N.Z- Cable Assn.

EMIGRATION ARRANGEMENTS. Received May 12, 8 p.m. London, May 7. The Emigration Commissioners of the Dominions are conferring with a view to co-ordinating working arrangements, and are preparing to start a limited emigration at the end of 1913. The Commissioners do not expect the cheap prewar steamer fares to be restorable for at least a year. UTILISING GERMAN SHIPS. Received May 12, 8 p.m. London, May 7. In the House of Commons, Colonel Wilson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, stated that all German passenger steamers handed to Great Britain, numbering 23, had been allocated to the service to Australasia and South Africa, the 21 allotted to Australasia being used for the repatriation of troops and the transport of available cargo Reuter.

INCREASED PAY FOR NAVY. London, May 9. The Admiralty Ims increased the pay and pensions of petty officers, noncoms and men of the Royal Navy, and Royal Marines, bringing the pay up to the Australian Navy standard. The increases will cost £2,839,000 annually, the total cost beinsr £5,447,000 annually, atid will eventually be £6<148!,000. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MEAT SELLING ARRANGEMENTS. London, May 10. The Star protests against the Government permitting the American Beef Trust to handle half the meat in England, which the Government purchased, and ridicules the feeble compromise under which the remaining fifty per cent is marketed by colonial merchants, pointing out that they otherwise are temporarily out of business owing to the Government purchasing the Australasian output for the armies of occupation. STABILISING WAGES. London, May 10. The House of Commons carried the second reading of the Bill extending for another six months the regulations stabilising wages.

THE POLICE FORCE. London, May 10. Mr Shortt, in the House of Commons, absolutely denied that the War Cabinet had promised to recognise the Policemen's Union. Recognition was impossible. The events at the Trafalgar Square meeting proved it. He admitted the pay was inadequate. SWEEPING CHANGES IN IRELAND. London, May 8. It is rumored in the Lobby that sweeping changes in the Government of Ireland are contemplated. EMPIRE PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION. London, May 5. Lord Birkenhead, the Rt. Hon. J. W. I.owther, and Senator the Hon. G. F. Peaive and other British and Dominion members of Parliament inaugurated the Empire Parliamentary Association's new rooms, adjoining Westminster Hall. Mr Pearce emphasised the value of an interchange of visits of British and oversea members of Parliament, the good results of which had been abundantly shown during the war. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assii. INDEPENDENCE OP FINLAND. London, May 8. In the House of Commons, Mr Harmsworth announced that the Government recognised the independence of Finland and the de facto Finnish Government, A HEALTHY IMPROVEMENT. Received May 13, 1.30 a.m. London, May 7. The imports into the United Kingdom decreased bv £7,070,290; exports increased £18,410,783, and re-exports increased £11,305,774 during April as compared with a year ago. Lead imports last month were 26,634 tons, exports 1232 tons. THE CASEMENT BRIGADE, i London, Ma'y 8. Mr. Guest stated in the House of Commons that it was impossible to prosecute men who had joined the Casement Brigade whilst prisoners in Germany. Orders had been issued for their discharge from the army on the ground of misconduct.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE POLICE PROBLEM. London, May fi. The Police Commissioner has gone to Paris to consult the Premier.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. SALE OP WAR VESSELS. Received May 13, 1.5 a.m. London, May-10. Dr. McNamara, in the House of Commons, said one light cruiser had been sold since the armistice. Arrangements were proceeding for disposing of eleven vessels of different classes. It was hoped soon to dispose of a further hundred land fiftst-obsqlete. ahisk- toJia-hroksft vjßr'

j .. RATIONING' OF POOD, i CONTROL STEADIES PRICESLondon, May 6; In the House of Con.mons, on the vote of £1,451,700 salaries of the Ministry of Food, Mr. Roberts claimed that the rationing and distribution of food had been successful. The Ministry's net profit in 1017 and 1918 showed a net profit of £132,000 on a turn-over of 07 million. The control effectively steadied the rising of food prices, which were lower in Britain than elsewhere. In the first year of the war they rose three per cent, monthly; since the armistice they had decreased four per cent, monthly. It was vain to hope for great further decreases, because world peace would involve the opening of the world's markets and subjecting Britain to world prices for imported articles. The Government during war time had handled 85 per cent, of Britain's food at fixed prices and 94 per cent, of the foodstuffs, only excepting luxuries. The Ministry would cease operations in November

Mr. Clynos urged the retention of some form of food control to protect the people against trusts and combines. Mr. Hodge pleaded for expediting the shipment of wheat with the view of removing the burden of the bread subsidy. ARMIES OF OCCUPATION. STAY OF TWO YEARS. • Paris, May 0. The British and American armies of occupation will remain in Germany for two yeai-s.