A PEACE APPEAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9720, 24 July 1917, Page 6

A PEACE APPEAL

THE PO?E TO INTERVENE MEDIATION BY TWO NATIONS PROPOSED. fir Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ■ Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, July 22. The “Not.- York Sun’s” Rome correspondent rays that it is apparently certain that tho Pope tv-ill appeal for peace on tho third anniversary of tho war. next month. There is good reason to believe that instead of a general exhortationto all the warring nations, the Popo will aim at mediation by two nations which are not technically at war, as an initial step to forward negotiations between the belligerents. Such a suggestion clearly alludes to the United States and Austria. Reports from the Vatican are that the Turkish Premier.is. expected to resign to make way for. a National Cabinet of Liberals, who are m favour ot piaco. K*!SER LOOKS FAB FORWARD 2,«j0,'060 MEN summoned to the COLOURS NEXT MARCH. By Telegraph—Proas Association— Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, July 22. The “New York World's” Washington ('orx-espjudcnt says that a confidential report} cu Die War . Department shows that the Kaiser‘has summoned '2,000,606 men to "the colours in March, 1018, 'this ' quota ~ representing Ocrinanv’s supremo fighting force. It’ is believed that tho purpose of the call is to meet the expected drive of the-Allies when the Americans.are ready. SUBMARINE PROBLEM

INCREASED BY LATEST HUN DEVICE.

BOATS TO DIV-a. UNDER NETS.

By -Tclearrapli—-Press - Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. .. NEW YORK, July 22.

The “Near York Timea’s” Washington correspondent .states that an. official report to Washington says that Germany has completed a small number of" submarines capable of submerging to a 'depth of 200 feot. This achievement acids to “the submarine problem, .as this typo of submersible trill bo able to., diyo. under the nets. It is believed that this is part of the Germans' frantic endeavour to prevent the bottling-up of U-boats in the Baltic and ’elsewhere. /

AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS

GOVERNMENT OPPOSED TO INCREASE OF WAGES. By Taleirrapb—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, July 22. The “Daily Nows” states that the Government is opposed to MrWardle’s amendment of the Corn Production Bill, in which ho seeks to secure an increase of the wages of agricultural labourers from 25s to 30s a week, notwithstanding that the bill provides for farmers a large bonus to stimulate production..

FOOD STRESS IN GERMANY

Great shortage op wheat. By Telegraph—'Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, NEW YORK, July 22. Reports to the State Departments show that Germany is short by 600,000 bushels of wheat of the amount required before tho next harvest. The :eop prospects are reported to be good only in West Germany. In other sections the crops have been hurt by tho dry weather and also by frost. The" Government is said to be rejuisitioning one out of every two head of cattle. It is rumoured that part of tho provisions sent by tho United States to Belgium for relief purposes was consumed - in a German hospital in Antwerp.

INDUSTRIAL UNREST

CAUSES STATED AND REMEDIES PROPOSED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrighl Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Renter. LONDON, July 22. Tho report has been published of the Commission of Inquiry on industrial unrest. Mr George Barnes, in summarising the report of eight district Commissions, says'that they show a strong feeling of patriotism amongst employers and eu ployed, who are determined to help the State in the present crisis, peeling of a revolutionary character is not entertained by the bulk of the workmen, vbut contrarywise the majority is sensible of tho national difficulties. All tho Commissions emphasise the leading causes of unrest —increased cost of living, and the unequal distribution of food. The belief of profiteering operations under the Munitions of War Act is undoubtedly a serious cause, and particularly" the restriction of workmen in selecting their sphere of labour, while changes in working conditions, especially in the introduction of female labour, had been made without consultation with tho • workpeople. Causes of unrest which were local, and 'not' universal, include inadequate housing; Honor restrictions, industrial fatigue.’ There is also a prevailing feeling that pledges are no longer observed, as before the war, and a woeful uncertainty as regards the industrial future.

The Commissioners recommend, inter alia: (1) The immediate reduction in, food prices, the Government to (onie extent bearing the increased price of food, and a bettor system of distribution: (2) that Labour should participate in affairs and be communicated with ns partners rather than servants; (31 closer contact between employer and employed; (41 that larger discretion be granted the pensions committees in treatment of discharged soldiers: (5) that agricultural wages 5n the western area -be raised to 25s weekly; (6) the abandonment of coloured labour at the, port*-