MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

SETTLING EX-SOLDIERS. THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS. Received Jan. 30, 10.15 p.m. London, Jan. 20. It is understood the Government is preparing various plans for the settlement of ex-Foldiers on the land, and will provide small holdings for carefully selected men with some capital. The State is making up the balance required;, The Government hopes thtfre will be a demand for a small niece of land with free cottage. This demand will be the easiest satisfied and be the least costly. It also hopes to settle men on intensively cultivated farms under a manager where co-partnership and profitsharing could be introduced. DEMOBILISATION. THE ARMY OF OCCCTATION. Received Ja/i. 30, 10.45 p.m. London, Jan. 20. It is understood the Cabinet Council discussed demobilisation, the size of the army of occupation, ami the strikes. The demobilisation is now 35.000 daily. It is expec:■ :1 that men who joined hefore 101 !> will automatically be demobilised. Tiic approximate army needed for the next about 900,000, but this will diminish as volunteering develops and the responsibilities of the contract decrease. The general aim will be to demobilise all over 35. The men who are retained in the army for the various necessary purposes will get substantially increased pay.

EDUCATING SOLDIERS. A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME Received .Tan. .10. 8.."i0 p.m. London, Jan. 2S.

Bishop Long, in a paper read at the Colonial Institute, detailed the military educational schemes. Twenty thousand Australians are now putting in five hours daily, varying from elementary English to classes, of university standing.

General Birdwood (presiding) warmly eulogised the services.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. REDUCED FREIGHTS TO AUSTRALASIA. Received Jan. .'SO, 7.15 p.m. London, Jan. 2!l. The reduced freight to Australia end Now Zealand is by measurement 10os to 1255, by weight GDs to 70s. This is to commence immediately.—Aus. N.Z. Cable As«oc.