MOTHER COUNTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12068, 25 July 1917, Page 2

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE MEAT TRADE. Tfouter's Telegrams. LONDON, July 23. The Food Controller has -announced that from September 1 the maximum prices for meat would be fixed, and the operations of all meat firms would be controlled. AGRICULTURISTS' "WAGES. THREAT OF DISSOLUTION. LONDON, July 23. An urgent. Government, whip was issued regarding Mr Wardlo's amendment. The Government regards 2os minimum wage for agriculturists as fundamental. Pro-Government newspapers warn opponents not to create a crisis resulting in an appeal to the country. In the House of Commons. Mr Prothero said that the Government could not accept. Mr Wardlr.'s amendment. If Mr Wardle pressed for a. division he must stand or fall by the result. The Bill was essential to the. country's existence and safety. The minimum wage was irreducible, but tho Wages Board could increase it. the proposed increased wage imposed t.ie payment of nil additional £40,000,000 on"the farmers. The late Government had miscalculated tho submarine menace, and tho changes and shortages in the'world's supply of grain. The country could not afford a third miscalculation. AMENDMENT DEFEATED. LONDON, July 23. Mr Wardle's amendment was defeated by 301 votes to J 02. (The amendment was to raise the minimum wages for agriculturists to o-.'S per week.) WAR CREDIT VOTE. WILL TOTAL £650,000,000. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, July 23. The new credit vote will be for £650,000.000. AFTER THE WAR. RECONSTRUCTION MINISTER. LONDON, July 23.^ The Government is introducing a Bui creating a Ministry of Poster Reconstruction, at a salary of £.2001. IRISH CONVENTION. MR O'BRIEN DECLINES TO SERVE. LONDON, July 23. Mr W. O'Brien has finally refused Mr Lloyd George's appeal to serve at tho Irish Convention. Mr O'Brien Says that he learns from a high authority that tho Nationalists contemplate a partition, not into two. but into four, Irelands. Ho also suspects that the Nationalists are securing Lord Dunraven's expulsion from the Convention. HELIGOLAND BATTLE. NAVAL BOUNTIES. LONDON, July 23. Tho Prize Court granted a. bounty of £6415 to tho following warships' companies:—Princess Royal, Queen Mary, New Zealand, Birmingham, Falmouth, Liverpool, Arethusa, Lurcher, Fife, Drake, Lconidns and several submarines fcr the sinking of the German warships Koln, with 467 persons on board, the Mainz (423), Ariadne (297), and V. 187 (93) .In tho battle of the Heligoland Bight.