MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1917, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

(Per Press Association— Copyright)

STATEMENTS IN COMMONS

LONDON, June 25

In the Commons Mr. Bonar Law announced that Government were summoning conference concerning the futuro composition of the Lords and relations of the two Houses. He explained the appointment of a committee for the proposed state control of liquor merely involved an inquiry. It would be necessary to take some form of control after the House had discussed it.

Replying to question about reprisals, he said after consulting the military authorities here and General Ilaig, the Government were using the air forces in a way they thought was best against the enemy, but it was difficult f Q prevent raids i

BRITAIN’S EXPENDITURE

[“REUTER’s” TELEGRAM.] ”

LONDON, June 25

In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law, dealing with the war expenditure, said that the increase in the Army expenditure, was partly (attributable to payments which would b 0 ultimately recoverable. The expenditure o n munitions had been affected by the temporary causes, such as the more rapid delivery of orders. He feared the expenditure on these items would e xce ©d 'the estimate. Regarding loans to the Allies, the Imperial Government was still liable during the opening weeks of the current year to fulfill the commitments

undertaken before the entry of the United States, the advantage of which was now being felt. War pensions now totalled £250,000 weekly, and would continue to expand.

FIGHTING on INDIAN FRONTIER

SIMLA, June"2s

Official: Successful operations have been conducted at A\ aviristan. A field force assisted the Neupafes contingent against the Mahsuds, Tho enemy was severely punished. Our casualties were light. e,

AUSTRALASIAN MAIL LOST

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

LONDON, June 25. - The Post Office announces that tho Australian and New Zealand mails from London on May 31st and parcel mail on May 23rd have been lost.

PROTEST AGAINST PRICES

WASHINGTON, Juno 26

The United States has protested to Mexico against the high oil taxes which amount to confiscation of the production at Tampico. It is understood that Britain supports the protest.

THE GRAND FLEET

VISITED BY KING GEORGE

(Received, This Dav at 8.50. a.m.) LONDON, June ~..

King George visited the. fleet at its northern base., 110 arrived amidst ono of the most remarkable thunderstorms recorded. He was miet ashore by Lieut Prince Albert, and accompanied by Admiral Beatty inspected in success ion the crews of tho various Flagships. IT© saw a modern battleship in action , the officers and rtTCn at their war stations, masked and gloved against the risk of cordit© flashes. The visit lasted a week. Members of the entourage are satisfied the Navy is willing and ready to meet all 1 demands. ..

GERMANY’S ARMY.

A CORRESPONDENT’S FIGURES

(Received This ' r ' r, v at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, June »>•.

The “Daily Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent states two thirds of the German effectives aro fighting in the j West, and one third in the East. Tlie et transfer of troops from the Russian Front to France since the Russian revolution is only three divisions. The lfne was previously so thinned that . it is impossible for the Germans t° make a larger withdrawal. Since April there has boon a total increase of eight divisions on the German Western Front, wWre there aro now 155 divisions, whereof 112 aro men engaged in the sectors of the Anglo-French offensives, 23 being engaged twice over. It is estimated that every time, a division is withdrawn from nn active sector it has lost an average of two thousand men. The German Army is therefore having serious losses, and is using 25 di visions to repair tho losses. Only 12 fresh divisions now remain behind the front. The others have already been used up as reliefs.

WAR CONFERENCE. (Received this Dav at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, June 20.

A conference of Allies shortly discusses the war aims. It is understood Russia pressed for a conference. . MADRID, June 26.

Differences of opiniofi among the Liberals are increasing. Romanoea baa resigned the leadership and advised the formation of a Directorship, composed of leaders of the different; sections.

INSURANCE GAMBLE.

P'rectkr’s” telegram.] LONDON, June 26.

Lloyd’s underwrites for a hundred guineas, if the war is in n progress at the end of 1917, demanding eighty guineas and proportionately downward to thirty quineas-to the end of 1918.

. li" THE EXPLOSIVES’ PLOT. CHRITIANIA, Juno 20. ' The< explosives discovery, continues to greatly excite the public. Over a ton waa found in a loft, partly bulk, and partly infernal machines, or made to resemble lumps of coal. Most of the cases have been opened and part of the contents are missing,, which shows the explosives were not being merely sent to Finland. Tho censorship forbids a full disclosure of. th o facts, but it is pointed out that forty Norwegian steamers hav e disappeared since tho beginning of the war, without leaving a trace. If sunk by mines th 0 crow would have time to get to the. boats, but violent internal explosions would explain the mysteries.

AN AUCKLANDER '.KILLED. (Received This Dnv at 12.25. p.m.) LONDON, Juno 25. Lieut, Allan Bailey, of th 0 Field Artillery, Auckland, has boon killed. A younger brother was killed in February