MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

LIVELY SESSION EXPECTED.! DEPLORABLE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK PLETHORA OP CONTROVERSIAL MEASURES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 20, 10.5 p.m. London, Oct. 20. Wednesday's re-assembly of Parliament focusses attention upon the deplorable financial outlook, the first six months of the financial year showing a deficit exceeding 312 millions. The Government ■ will be bombarded with questions relating te retrenchment. A vast number have already been tabled. Mr. Chamberlain's reply to several questions asking whether he intends to introduce a supplementary budget is awaited with keen interest, particularly in view of the Strong business and trading objections to such a course of action. It is understood that Mr. Lloyd George will readily respond to the demand for a debate on the whole ques. tion of economy, and also that he intends to promise a speedy return to the constitutional system of Cabinet control of expenditure. It is generally admitted that the Government's position has been greatly strengthened owing to the firm handling of the strike, bnt mem'bers are returning from their constituencies deeply impressed with the widespread indignation at the failure to check departmental extravagance. The autumn sitting promises a record number of highly controversial Government Bills dealing with the constitution of the joint industrial council, maximum hours, State purchase of mineral rights, the prevention of dumping, pn>> tection of the key industries and others, while the urgent necessity of settling ,the Irish problem gives an additional prpspect of a Mvely session-—Aua.-N.Z, Cable Assn. A' WAR ON RATS. Received Oct. 21, 12.10 a.m. London. Oct. 20. Britain commences a rat week to-day. Paid rat-catchers have been distributed throughout the country to supervise the offensive. Fifty million rats await exterminating.—United ServiceEPIDEMIC AMONGST CATS. Received Oct. 21, 12.10 a.m. London, Oct.' 20. A mysterious gastric disease, leading to paiulysis and death, is raging amongst cats. Thousands are dying daily.—United Service.