BRITISH NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 10 December 1917, Page 5

BRITISH NEWS.

FOOD ECONOMY OR PEACE. AGRICULTUR AL MINISTER'S WARNING. Received December 10, 11.20 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 9. Rt. Hon. R, E. Prothoro (President of the Board of Agriculture), speaking at Nottingham', urged the further ploughing of the best grain lands. The strictest food economy was being increasingly necessary. Ho added, "If the food shortage becomes more acute there may : he such disturbances in the country as to drive us to a halting peace, nullifying the achievement of our gallant dead." • BIG SHIPPING PURCHASE. .. i Received December 10, 11.20 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 9. The Clan line is purchasing the Britain Steamship Company for £2,750,000. AN IMPERIAL- ASSEMBLY. Received December 10, 11.20 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 9. Sir Herbert Samuel (ex-Home Secretary), speaking at Huddersfield, said the Empire was a. commonwealth without a constitution. Imperial federation, as ordinarily understood.' Mas impracticable. An Imperial Cabinet was desirable but was inadequate. He suggested an Imperial Assembly whose members would be chosen from the various Parliaments' of the Empire to secure the greatest possible measure of agreement in matters relating to the Empire as a whole and transmit them to the various Parliaments for ratification, or otherwise.