GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16673, 19 April 1916, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

IMPERIAL. UNITY. WHAT LORD SYDENHAM SAYS. SUPREME OPPORTUNITY. LONDON, April 18. (Received April 18, at 9.55 p.m.) Lord Sydenham, commenting on the current situation, says that earnest thinkers in all parts of the Empire have long believed that the British people cannot rise to the full height of their mission in the world, develop their unrivalled resources, or safeguard their liberties against aggression, without a closer union of purpose and effort. Muoh has been done to secure joint counsels and provide for an interchange of information with regard to matters of Imperial defence, but advisory bodies can rarely succeed in attaining great objects, and conferences may fail where executive action is imperatively required. The vision of a federal Empire, blurred and indistinct in the past, now stands out in clear outline as the result of the startling revelations which the war has forced upon us. We now understand that all we cherish is at stake and has been in prave peril. We realise as never before that far closer Imperial co-opera-tion is essential not only for our national safety but for the -of our vital economic problems. We shall have to reconstruct the shaken fabric of our prosperity by turning the whole resources of the Empire to account for the benefit of its citizens of all classes. Is this possible without organic union? Will not our shared sacrifices of gallant lives and the treasure we have lavishly poured out be in vain if we do not now create an Empire in the government of which all the members can take part? Can so supreme an opportunity ever recur ? Upon the answers to these questions the future of the British people must depend.

. DOUBLE INCOME TAX.

LONDON, April 17. ' The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr R. M'Kenna) said in the House of Commons that he was willing to consider a request to receive a deputation after Easter on the double income tax.

MUNITIONS IN FRANCE.

OUR ALLY'S PRODUCTION. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, April 17. A message from Paris states that after a close inspection of the munition factories M. Du Mesnil, a member of the Chamber of Deputies, reports that industrial France is beeoming an immense arsenal for turning out heavy and light artillery. Stocks of munitions are piling up, despite the enormous demands of the Verdun battle, and guns are turned out and batteries renewed with the necessary rapidity. It was largely due to the countless French machine guns that the German onslaught on Verdun was shattered.

FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

RATE OF EXCHANGE. UNSATISFACTORY POSITION. PARIS, April 17. Le Matin states that the exchange rate in London and Paris has recently risen to, 29 francs to the £1, and this is reacting unfavourably on French trade and on the French Government, whioh is purchasing largely in Britain. M. Ribot, Minister of Finance, conferred with Mr R. M'Kenna. Chancellor of the Exchequer, and arrangements are being made to improve the situation.