WAR AGAINST POVERTY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 214, 6 September 1912, Page 8

WAR AGAINST POVERTY.

IMPROVING TE£ WORKERS' LOT. LONDON, August 29. A joint committee of the Independent Labour party and the Fabian Society is irranging a conference for October 11, with the object of promoting a war .igainst poverty. The movement has been started in the hope that the Government will be compelled to devote the whole of next Parliamentary session to the consideration and passing of measures that will raise the standard of life among working people. A legal minimum wage, reduction in the hours of labour, complete provision for sickness, child nurture, prevention of unemployment, and healthful homes, are among the reforms in connection with which legislation is demanded. CHINA'S POSTAL SERVICE. DISPENSING WITH FOREIGNERS SHANGHAI, August 30. It is possible that a bill may be passed by the National Council providing for Chinese control of the postal administration. Should the measure become law all foreigners will be dismissed from the service, which will then be administered exclusively by the Chinese themselves. i EMPIRE DEFENCE. 1 HEW ZEALAND'S SEPARATE POLICY. ' IONDON, August 30. In his speech at the conclusion of the launching of the cruiser Sydney, Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson, who visited Australia in the latter part of 1910 to give the Commonwealth Government expert advice with regard to the establishment of a navy, commented sharply upon the failure of New Zealand to co-operate with Australia in the matter of naval defence. Admiral Henderson said that if New Zealand had followed the example of Australia it would have been adopting a higher, more natural, and more enduring policy than that of making a contribution in either ships or money. This latter policy was one that was more suited to colonies and other possessions of the Empire that were not growing into nationhood. "I believe," added Sir Reginald, "that in a few years Australia will have as good and efficient ships as are in the English navy. "Australians are a high-spirited race, determined not to be left behind in anything, and if the Mother Country and the colonies stand together and do their duty like Australia, the Empire naed never fear for its supremacy of the seas." THE POPE'S HEALTH. DAILY GROWING WEAKER. PARIS, August 30. One of the Paris papers, the "Matin," reports that the Pope is daily growing weaker. No strangers in the Vatican are now admitted to the Pope's Mass, for the reason that bis Holiness often celebrates it while in a sitting position.