MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

REDUCTION OF FREIGHTS. Received Jan. 31, 11.55 p.m. London, Jan. 20. Freights to all direct ports in Australia and New Zealand arc: Fine measurement, 125/-; rough 100/-; packed weight, 70/-; close, 00/-. These rates commence with the Benalla, now loading for Australia, and ihc Romuera, about to load for New Zealand. The reduction on the average is about sixty per cent, from the Hat rate of 150/- recently ruling.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE EMPIRE'S WAR DEBT. Received Jan. 31, 11.55 p.m. London, Jan. 20. Mr. Watt's proposal to pool the Empire's war debt lias been sympathetic ally received in the city, but some doubt:) are-expressed as to the possibility of its acceptance, mainly on the ground that Britain would be held responsible for the aggregate liability, while it will be virtually impossible, ns well as undesirable, that Britain should exercise any control over the finances of the individual dominions- -ius. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

RECORD DKATii. RATIO. London, Jan. 2'!. A reliable forecast shows that the deaths in London and Wales in IOiS exceeded the births. It was the worst rear recorded. London's fisjures are complete. 'l'liey show births 153 and deaths 187 per lOJHjil—Aii3. N.Z. Cable Assoc. INCREA-SKD ARJiY VAX. London, Jan. 29. The Ministry of Labor announces that in view of the Government's dtd ion regarding the constitution of the armies of occupation no fi;rih'.,r application for release of pivotals or others mi special grounds can be consider"'.!. Thi War Oflicc announces thai the RriiUh armies at the dale of the armistice numbered 31 millions. Demobilisation proceeds as rapidly as possible. retaining 000,000 as the r.nuy of occv.par.iu; The latter will receive wccki'i bri,"Ws r.s follows:

Privates 10s fid, nor. nvrap. j2s 3d to 143, officers 21s to 1:X r; 'hrve will be five armies of occupation tormwi as follows: Home, Rhine, Middle Kast, Far North, and India. No nohtic? under i',o will be required to serve anywhere cjjeept at Home and in the Rhino tjistrict. It is believed recruiting for the voluntary army will improve aa soon as the great mass who have fought rptnrn to civil I life. Upon the steady rebuilding of the army depends the relief ' of territorial [battalions in India and at other distant i stations.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.