MOTHER COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17705, 4 February 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

BRITISH FINANCE. LONDON, February 1. Mr Bonar Law said that there was no intention at present of issuing os notes, but a small stock was being printed in readiness for possible silver emergency. FOOD PROBLEM. the RATIONING SCHEME. LONDON, February 1. In the House of Lords. Lord Rhondda stated that he hoped to have the country covered by local compulsory rationing schemes early in March, This tue Government would subsequently transform into one national scheme. CONSUMERS’ COUNCIL MEETS. A. anil N.Z. Cablo Association and Reuter. LONDON. February 2. The Press Bureau states: —At the first meeting of the Consumers’ Council, on which trades unionists, cooperators and women industrialists are represented, Mr J. R. Clynes, the Labour member, explained that the Council would have access to the facts and figures on which the Food Ministry based "its poliev. It could advise orf problems of rationing, transport and administration. RESIGNATION OF SIR ARTHUR YAPP. LONDON, February 1. , Sir Arthur Yapp is resigning tlfo Directorship of Food Economy because or compulsory rationing being decided on. . . Ho has finished his task of organising voUnitary rationing. APPEALS TO FARMERS. (Received February 3, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 1. Air Prof hero,' addressing farmers’ representatives, said that the country was in a critical position and approaching the rapids. Unless farmers pulled with him and Lord Rhondda the country would be swept over tho precipice There was a very great shortage of concentrated foods. There was only enough oats to feed working horses on reduced rations, after allowance was made for milling stocks. With regard to cattle, they wero in the same position as in 1870. when they could not purchase concentrated food. This condition would last until this time next vear. lie appealed to farmers to extend the arable area for cattle feeding. He specially wanted them to grow potatoes. Carriage and pleasure horses must be put on grass or killed, nnd hunters should be grassed. A limited ration would be allowed for thoroughbreds. Ho concluded : "There is not the faintest occasion for panic. Our live stock will be un to the mark.”

THE WHEAT POSITION. LONDON, February'l. Speaking to farmers Lord Rhondda stated that the wheat position in two or three months might ho very serious. There was no fear of starvation if they could get a million acres of potatoes tliis year. Farmers loudly dissented from Lord Rhondda’s hope that the Government would take its hands off prices after the war.

LABOUR UNREST. AIR, HENDERSON’S WARNING. Reuter’s Telegrams. LONDON, February 1. AH- Henderson has issued a statement to tho Press, urging the Government to withdraw its refusal to meet the representatives of the Society of Engineers sena'-ielx, '•’«» annealing the

workers not to embarrass the Labour leaders or to jeopardise the unity of the international movement. He declares that democratic diplomacy has begun and he expresses the opinion that the Allied Labour Conference, which will meet in London on February 20. will achieve an agreement of all Allied working class parties upon a polioy to secure a democratic peace. Such a peace would como when the Governments were resolutely told that peace must be made at once on such' terms, no other. Ho adds:—“lnformation in my possession shows that the industrial situation is graver and more pregnant with disastrous possibilities than at any period of the war. A crisis of the first magnitude is threatened. The workmen’s temper is dangerous, and the Government’s unyielding attitude is bringing the country to the verge of an industrial revolution.” He appeals to workmen to realise the gravity of the position and to stop threatening to strike unless the Government declares an armistice or ■ negotiates. The action of the working classes of the Central Powers might precipitate a crisis when the arrangements being madci for concentrated action by the international democracy in the. direction of a general peace were rapidly approaching completion. ENGINEERS AND GOVERNMENT. A and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. LONDON, February 2. The Press Bureau, in an official reply to Mr Henderson, controverts the claim that the Government admitted the engineers’ claim for separate treatment. The statement concludes:—“ It is necessary to realise that this is nota difference between the Government and one or more unions, but between , the unions themselves. It is well known that other unions resented the Government’s meeting the Amalgamated \ Engineers separately previously. The Government now' agrees to meet the Amalgamated. Engineers senarately if the other unions agree. No question of procedure must obscure the manpower issue. In ovde l- to maintain the armies in the field fit men must be withdrawn. Tlio, dilution of munition workers alone was insufficient to provide the necessary number.” GERMAN STRIKES CAMOUFLAGE. “ The Times ” Service. LONDON, February 2. A section of the London Press flatl} describes the German strike as clever camouflage, designed to incite revolt and spread pacifism in British industrial districts, especially in support of the engineers’ attitude on the manpower scheme. Workers are warned of tho attempt to trap them into a conspiracy, but it is generally believed that the majority are incapable of being fooled. “The Times,” commenting on Mr Henderson’s letter, suggests that the Government should modify its attitude towards the engineers. DOMINIONS’ CONFERENCE. United Service. , LONDON, February 1. Though plans are not yet made, most important, conferences of; British ant* Dominion Ministers are certain to be held very shortly. The War Cabinet regards these consultations as vitally - imperative. It has long been charged to ascertan the dominions’ views upon subjects upon which personal interviews are essental. These cover the whole gamut of war activities, negotiations including reinforcements, repatriation, finance and postwar trade. Sir Robert Borden and General Botha axe coming. NOTES FROM LONDON. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Rente*. LONDON, February 2. Tlio Press Bureau states that letters and mails for Australia, New Zealand. China, Japan and Hong Kong, posted between January 23 and 25, were WOT on tho Andania.