BONAR LAW SPEAKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1917, Page 1

BONAR LAW SPEAKS.

The War Expenditure. (Australian &N.Z..Cabla Association ) LONDON. Feb. 12. In the Commons, Mr Bonar Law *aid that the troop* actually engaged in the fighting at the front, were fourteen fold the number engaged at the outbreak of the war.

We are not only superior to the enemy man for man, but our equipment is superior. The results are shown by the constantly successful raids which were impossible half a year ago, and those give good reason for our hope for most satisfactory results when more import ant operations were undertaken. The total daily expenditure for all services was £6,799,000, and the total voted for the war is £3,732,000,000. With the ordinary expenditure' the debit at the end of the financial year was between £4,500,000,000 and £4,900,000,000. The bulk of this would not ho a burden on the United Kingdom when the war was won.

This expenditure could not continue indefisitcly, but Britain can bear the strain longer .than her enemies, and we will not ho forced into a disastrous peace upon financial reasons. Our predecssors imposed new taxation, estimated to give £300,000,000 for the current year, and ho believed this amount would be exceeded if it became necessary to maintain a peace taxation on the same lord.

We shall have means, even when tlio excess profits fax ceases, with which to pay interest and meet sinking fund payments, and for wiping out our burden in a comparatively short time. Wo have a most difficult road ahead and there must bo many more sacrifices, but neither as regards finance, courage nor endurance shall we go back till ire reach tht end, which we have set ourselves.

LONDON, Feb. 12,

WASTE MUST CEASE

The Hon. Walton urged the stopping of waste and getting something like value for our money. If this war loan did not produce the required an.ount i i re must he another in a few months, and probably compulsory.

LABO UK LEADED, ON THE LOAN,

Mr Bam say McDonald supported a compulsory loan.

Ho said the East is now the chief theatre of the war. The Germans are beaten in the West and the only question is how to drive them homewards. It was difficult to know how the enemy was to be dislodged from the Middle East, except by negotiations. The advances to the Allies and tlio dominions to the 31st of March would total £890,000,000. He believed that the amount appealed for in the new War Loan would be greater than ever. Before referring to Salonika ho stated that the Anglo-French commanders believed that in the event of a Gcrmanißulgar offensive the dangr from an attack in the rear was nothing like what it was few weeks ago thanks to tlio lives decided upon. The vote was unanimously adopted.

A Big Application

LONDON, Feb. 12,

Sir George Cooper has applied for £2,100,000 of the War Loan, this being tlio largest private application. Sir George holds £2,625,000. LONDON, Feb. 12.

The Attorney-General in addressing the Law Society said that in the remote contingency of another war loan all trust investments might have to bo mobolised.

Legless Soldiers

LONDON, Feb. 12,

The ‘“Morning Posh’s” Petrograd err respondent,. says the Germans are nsing legless soldiers as machine-gun-ners, who are thus unable to escape. Many of the.se are found dead alongside their guns.

British Ghosts.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association

and Reuter.) LONDON, Feb. 12. Mr Philip Gibbs, the war correspondent, humorously explains the German communique’s references to the British wearing snow-shirts. It seems that the troops at the front werei recently enjliveined by cnriouis stories of officers shopping in the French villages and buying up ladies’ night-dresses. The Canadian trenches echoed the laughter, and a hundred brawny men, donning night-dresses, in the moonlight went out to the snow-covered No-Man’s land. Many of these white robes were stained red before the adventure ended, but the Germans, getting a glimpse of these fantastic figures, quickly surrendered or were slain, and the so-called “Pierrots’” ' returned light-heartedly bringing prisoners. The “Gay” Gordon Highlanders carried out a similar successful raid, wearing white smocks and white painted helmets. A Further Attack LONDON, Feb. 12. General Sir Douglas Haig reports we further progressed last night in the neighbourhood l of Bbaucourffc in (the Puisioux road, and occupied 600 yards of enemy trenches without difficulty. Counter-attacks southward of Serro Hill were caught hv our artillery barrage and easily repulsed. Wo entered the enemy’s lines at a number of places and exploded an ammunition dump south-east of Arnientierts.

Crazy for Peace. (Australis & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Feb. 12. The “Daily News’” correspondent an, Zurich says that a member of Dr Gerard’s party declares that the German people are crazy for peace. They want peace now a,t almost any price. The rejection of the Kaiser’s peace offer seemed to break their spirit, but the submarine declaration revived their hopes, and everyone now believes turn, the new sea war will reduce Britain, and cause the Entente to collapse, The people of the large cities are hungry, but there is no famine now, nor likely in the immediate future. Berlin people are pessimistic regarding America, and tlio best informed circles consider that war is inevitable.

Berlin’s Meat

LONDON, Feb. 12,

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rotterdam correspondent says that Berlin’s meat ration has been increased by three and a half ounces, and is now three quarters of a pound weekly.

It is expected that there will be a similar increase in all towns with a population above 50,000.

Exchange of Prisoners.

LONDON, Feb. 12,

The War Office states that after the arrangements were completed for the exchange of British and German incapacitated prisoners, Germany telegraphed through the American Ambassy prior to the rupture in diplomatic relations, that the departure of British hospital ships with severely wounded Germans would no longer he considered safe, and suggested transportation of woundods to and from Britain by Dutch paddle steamers, which would be guaranteed a German safe conduct. The transport of severely wounded IBrisMi is suspended until Britain’s reply is received. Future repatriations including German and British civil prisoners would thereafter affected in the same manner.

The Foreign Office adds the comment that such communications are superfluous.

For Salonika

ROME, Feb. 12.

It has been arranged that supplies for Salonika and also large quantities of coal should he sent overland, thus saving the shipping and avoiding submarines.

The German Policy.

(Australian & N.Z, Cable Asßaoiation

and Reuter),

LONDON, Feb. 12

Heuteris Berlin correspondent says Germany has instructed the commanders of submarines not- to sink neutrals, especially Americans, without warning whenever possible, but cases must arise where Amrioan vessels will be sunk, or where Americans aboard neutrals are involved in the catastrophe. Germany does not intend to depart from the submarine policy lately proclaimed.

German experts believe that if they can sink a million British tons'monthly , besides deterring three millions of neutral tonnage, these will force Britain to consider peace terms.

Getting Impatient

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12,

The nation is growing impatient at President Wilson’s waiting, and his policy is regarded as tantamount to acquiescence in tlic German blockadt. The feeling is so tense that they would welcome an overt act precipitating WOT.

Turkish Railway.

CAIRO, Feb. 12,

It is understood that the Turks have pulled up two railways in accordance with German orders, and arc constructing another line from the material. The Allied prisoners employed on the work are overworked, ill-fed ana disease-stricken. Italian Official. LONDON, Feb. 12. A wireless Italian official message re. ports: —We reached Tarvis station, and repulsed an attack at Videl after violent hand-to-hand fighting. The survivors were captured, ana we re-establislied our lines east of Gorizia, and repulsed the enemy with serious losses to them. Women’s Work. LONDON, Feb. 12. Sir George Cave has stated that it has been decided to license women to drive public carriages, including taxicabs. For Orphahs. PARIS, Feb. 12. Mr James Stillman, an American, has sent M. Poincaire a million francs to assist the orphans of men awarded the Legion of Honor. A Farmer’s Complaint. AUCKLAND, Feb. 12. The Manakau County Council to-day endorsed the resolutions of the Frankton County Council to the effect that while farmers, as a class, are as anxious as any other section to see a victorious peace, the Council is of opinion that the farming community is being unduly depicted as compared with other sections. Further that the present indiscriminate depletion of the able-bodied farming class will shortly result in a serious shortage of produce for export, and gmtiy increase the oo&t of iiviag.