MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

JUKTIN'S LINEN DEAE, By- lelegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Juno 21. Tlie newspapers axe criticising Martin's linen deaL They say it is equivalent to the world supply for three years. It is pointed out that the Government has not protected the public against possible profiteering, though Martin parchased below cost, involving the taxpayer in a loss of several millions. Also the release of the enormous Bupply of linen will adversely affect the Belfast linen and Manchester cotton trades. Mr Martin contends that Belfast manufacturers insisted on carrying out their war contracts for aeroplane linen,, despite the armistice, hoping to re-pur-; chase the enormous surplus at a big profit. They offered tho Government only 30 per cent of their contract price.—j Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

[Mr Martin bought 40,000,009 yards; for £4,000,000.] RETENTION OP FOOD MINISTRY. Received June 22, 5.5 p.m. London, June 20. Cabinet has decided to retain the Food Ministry until the spring of 1920.—Aus. N. 7,. Cable Assoc. ASQUITH'S FREE TRADE 'CAMPAIGN, London, Juno 19. Mr Asquith opened a free trade cam* paign at Leeds. He declared tha.t the free trade system triumphantly Twre the supreme test of the greatest war in history The minute and pettifogging proposals of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Imperial preference were the j fiTst instalment of protection, which | was stealthilv crossing the threshold of \ the fiscal citadel.

They needed, the utmost economy in administration and the greatest possible development of production. It would be a mistake to meet such an emergency hv hampering British trade with tariffs. He annealed to the country to re-affirm its allegiance to free trade principles. TRADE ACTIVITY. London, June 20. The increased activity in all trades is responsible for a further reduction by 140,000 of the recipients of the unemployment donation. NATIONALISATION OF MINES. Londan, June 20. The Daily News forecasts that the Coal Commission has drawn up four reports, of which Sir John Sankey's is the most important, and recommends the complete nationalisation of the coal mines within three years, and the earliest possible acquisition of the royalty rights. THE POLICE TROUBLE. London, June 20. A large meeting of policemen unanimously passed a resolution refusing to resign from the union, as demanded Iby Mr Shortt, the Home Secretary, DISTRIBUTION OF SCROLLS OF HONOR. Received June 22, 5.5 p.m. London, June 20. The military authorities have begun 'the distribution to the next-of-kin of all the fallen of a scroll inscribed: "He whom this scroll commemorates was among those who left all dear to them, endured hardship, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice." A royal letter accompanies the scroll. — Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. , ENGLISH WIVES OP AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS. Received June 22, 5.5 p.m. London, June 20. The High Commissioner publishes a denial in the London patters that English wive 9 of soldiers receive a hostile reception in Australia. Marriages are occiirrina; in (Trenter numbers than transport is available for. There weTe 7000 wives and 3000 children at the time of the armistice, while 200 marriages were celebrated in a recent week.—Aus. Nil. Cable Assoc.