MOTHER COUNTRY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17329, 18 November 1916, Page 10

MOTHER COUNTRY

, £■ ECONOMY PROBLEM. FOOD PRICES RISING. ' Australian and N.Z. Cable Aasooiatlon. . LONDON, December 16. L The Board of Trade '‘Labour Gazette ” states that the average ■ retail food prices on Noromber 1 were 5 per cent higher than a month earlier, and 'compared with July, 1914, the prices had increased 78 per cent. . profits limited. Australian.and N.Z. Cable Association and /Reuter. *■ - .•••■ LONDON, November 16. . It is reported that the Army authorities are limiting Army and Navy con3&U&. profits to 10 per cent. ■!; . "LUXURY TRADES.” * *; RELEASING MAN POWER. Renter’s Telegrams. LONDON, November 16. —ln the House of Commons, .Mr Bonar taw announced that the Government Jfas seriously considering restricting man power in connection with luxury trades. ‘ w ■ £ THE FOOD DEBATE. $L* • <- ; -- •••*■, ■ ; •,' v t • »■ -.;*y submarine menace can be ' ,- . • _ MET. UNIVERSAL SERVICE.; Australian and N.Z; Cable Association. , (Received November 17, 9.20 p.m.) LONDON, November 16. : In the House of Commons, during the continuation of the food debate, Mr Churchill said that the shortage of labour was due to indiscriminate voluntary recruiting on a gigantic .scale, in which every form-of social pressure was enforced. He warned the House against an exaggeration of the submarine menace. The Admiralty had a great anti-submarine organisation which was able to cope with tne danger if properly used. It was noteworthy that armed ships enjoyed great immunity compared with unarmed vessels. Four-fifths of the armed boatß beat off attacks, while four-fifths of the unarmed perished. He asked why the Government could. not take, over the shipping and also utilise native labour, thus decreasing the congestion in the ports. He believed that the time had! oorae when there would be something like universal service, not only for the army but industry. It was essential to take drastic measures before tho Pacifists intervened. , Mr,Runciman, replying, said that the shortage of ships was really due to the Navy 1 s requirements. The food shortage was largely caused by the failure of the North American harvest. Regarding the complaints at the delay in grappling with the food problem, be that he believed that public opinion hitherto had not been prepared for edrastio control because it would cause trouble. He did not favour the State control of shipping, because the work would not be efficiently done. Mr W. A. S. Hewins’s motion that it was the Government’s duty to adop’ further methods of organisation to increase the national food supply ansl*o

diminish the risk of shortage in the event of the war being prolonged, was adopted. NORWAY’S TRADE. AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN. ' CHRISTIANIA, November 16. The “ Morgenbladet ” says that an Anglo-Norwegian agreement has been completed securing Norway’s imports of foodstuffs and fats for the coming year on a scale equivalent to those of 1912-13. THE FRENCH LOAN. DENMARK’S CONTRIBUTION. United Service. (Received November 18, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 17: A Copenhagen message says that Denmark subscribed 6,009,000 kroner (about £330,000) to the French war loan. ■ •• WHEAT FOR ALLIIB. SUPPLIES FROM INDIA. LONDON, November 16. The Wheat Commission has arranged with the Indian Government to sanction the export of 400,000 tons of wheat to Britain, France and Italy, shipment to take place during November, December and January. MILITARY MEDAL. AWARDS TO ANZACS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Received November 17, 1 p.m.) ■ LONDON, Novomber 16. Two hundred and forty-five Australians and thirteen New Zealanders have been awarded the Military Medal. CHRISTMAS GIFTS. ENTERTAINMENT OF SOLDIERS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. , LONDON, November 16. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, General Richardson, and the War Contingent Association have completed arrangements for the Christmas entertainment, of New Zealand soldiers. All will receive plum puddings and other gifts. Those on leave in London will be given a Christmas dinner. KILLED IN ACTION. . NEW ZEALAND OFFICER KILLED. LONDON, November 16. Melville Kay, second lieutenant in the Durhams, a New Zealand farmer, has been, killed in action. ENEMY PROPERTY, NIGERIAN SALE COMPLETED. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Received November 18, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 17. The Nigerian sale is completed. It realised £383.000.' '