MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

WARSHIPS FOR NEW ZEALAND. ACCEPTED SUBJECT TO PARLIAMENT'S APPROVAL. " By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received June 15, 5.5 p.m. Paris, June 5. The Admiralty has offered Mr Massey practically free choice of ships with which to start a navy, and Mr. Massey has acepkd, subject to the approval of Parliament, the latest type of light cruiser. Until facilities for oil burning ships are provided in New Zealand the Admiralty will lend the Dominion a coal-burning cruiser similar to the Sydney. The Admiralty is also presenting New Zealand with a training-ship. Smaller British warships will be stationed in New Zealand as part of the China station fleet.—United Service.'

DOMINION MINISTERS ENTERTAINED. AT FAREWELL LUNCHEON. I London, June 13. Sir Thomas Mackenzie presided at a farewell luncheon to Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward at the Connaught Rooms. Mr Wason proposed Mr Massev's health. '

Mr Massey said that there were indications of important developments at the Peace Conference during the next few days, but the Empire would take whatever came with steadfastness. If the League of Nations was going to be successful there must be an adequate force behind it. This brought up the whole question of disarmament, which was one of the difficulties of the conference. New Zealand, it was reported, would receive a mandate over the Samoan Islands. She was willing to hand them to Britain to-day, if Britain chose to accept them. They would not cost New Zealand a penny in the end. Though there were difficulties the League must overcome them, including the problem of Chinese labor.

Sir W. P. Reeves proposed the health of Sir Joseph Ward, who said he hoped the Germans would sign peace by the 25th, but the Allied leaders were not going to yield essential points. If peace was not signed by the 25th the Allies must march to Berlin. The Empire was not going to run away from peace. SOLDIERS' PROTEST. Received June 15, 11.5 p.m. London. June 14. Two hundred Gordon Highlanders, also a few men of the London Scottish regiment, refused to embark for service in India, as a protest against sending oversea men who enlisted in 1915.—Aus N.Z. Cable Assoc. FOOD TURNOVER. Received June 15, 11.5 p.m. London, June 10. _ The British Food Ministry estimates its turnover for the rear ended March, 1919, at £900,000,000. NAVAL DEMOBILISATION. Received June 15, 11.5 p.m. London, June 10. The Admiralty has ordered the immediate demobilisation of 7000 tempor|ary naval officers.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association. THE VICTORY WAR LOAN. Received June 15, 5.5 p.m. London, June 14. There has been unprecedented and etithusiastic rush to subscribe to the Victory War Loan.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.