GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17156, 8 November 1917, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

THE FOOD PROBLEM. BRITAIN AND GERMANY COMPARED. Reuter's Telegrams. LONDON, November 6. Sir Arthur Yapp (Director of Food Control), in' a speech, said that, while our food position was serious, the position of the Central Powers was still more serious. The only commodity Germany had in any degree resembling us was potatoes, of •which the allowance was 71b a head weekly. There was no tea in Germany. The weekly rations in Germany of bread and flour was 51b for a person doing heavy work and 4|lb to others; meat, Qoz; sugar, 6oz; butter, 3^oz; while 26 eggs were allowed to each person yearly.

LEOPARD CHANCING ITS SPOTS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, November 6. Herr Erzberger, leader of the Centre (Roman Catholic) party in the Reichstag, announces that Germany has already changed from an autocracy into a democracy.

COMPULSION IN AUSTRALIA,

THE MOVEMENT GROWING,

SYDNEY, November 7. The conscription tide is rising. A number of State recruiting committees are resigning as a protest against the continuation of the voluntary system. MELBOURNE, November 7.

The Melbourne University Council resolved to urge tho enlistment of all students of military age.

Mr Hughes, Prime Minister, declines to make a statement on the position till after to-day's meeting of the Cabinet.

CABINET DISCUSSION. MINISTERIAL OPINION DIVIDED. MELBOURNE, November 7. (Received Nov. 7, at 9.20 p.m.) The Cabinet is discussing the military situation. Ministerial opinion regarding conscription is divided. Some favour early elections, and other a secend referendum. Mr Hughes declined to make a statement regarding the Government's attitude, beyond remarking that the Italian situation was the most serious since the Marne. There was a presentation of th" case so grave as to be full of the most ominous portents. ANOTHER REFERENDUM. MELBOURNE, November 7. (Received Nov. 8, at 1.10 a.m.) The Cabinet has decided to take another Referendum on the. conscription question.