MEDICALLY UNFIT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 29 March 1917, Page 5

MEDICALLY UNFIT.

A STEADY DECREASE. WELLINGTON, March 28. The following is an extract fnom a letter just received from the DeputyDirector of Medical Services with, the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, dated London, January 30: —“It is gratifying to know that the number of medically unfit men arriving from New Zealand is steadily decreasing, and that, with more stringent examination before embarkment this number will be reduced to a minimum. The high standard of medical insisted on for all troops in France necessitates extreme ca,re and thoroughness on the part of medical officers. Formerly many rejections of men on arrival from overseas were from dental causes, but owing to the splendid work of the stall the men now going forward are dentally as well as physically fit. 5 '

THE BLOCKADE. ENEMY CUT OFF FROM OUTSIDE. -FOOD RIOTS TAKE! PLACE. LONDON, March 27. In the House of Commons, replying to criticisms on the effectiveness of the blockade, Lord Robert Cecil declared that the tightening of the blockage had resulted in the complete cessation of oversea importations into enemy countries. He admitted that the question of home produce of neutrals adjoining Germany was much more difficult. He opined that the only way to stop such exports to Germany was an agreement with»neutrals. For example, Norway had agreed to restrict trade with Germany provided we supplied her with refined copper. Lord Robert Cecil proceeded to show that there was a steadily increasing diversion of Danish and Dutch agricultural products to England instead of Germany. He emphatically declared that Denmark had honestly endeavoured to carry out the terms of the Easting agreement. He would be deceiving the country if he did not say there was the greatest shortage of food in Germany as a result of the blockade. There was also the greatest shortage of wool, cotton, lubricants and other necessities. He was not inclined to disbelieve the repeated and well-authen-ticated reports of food riots in Germany

SOME HOME TRUTHS! BY LORD CHARLES BERESFORD. THREE YEARS’ FAMINE PREDICTED. Received 11.10. LONDON, March 28. In the House of Lords, Lord Charles Beresford said he did not think the capture of submarines was equivalent to the German output of new boats. He predicted a world famine during the next three years. He believed the Germans had more men and food than we imagined. The Foreign Office had too much power over the Navy. There was no doubt we Avere very much blockaded. The losses of the British, Allies, and neutrals for February were 281 vessels, totalling 505,000 tons; for March to date 255 vessels, of 420,000 tons Avere sunk. The lines Avould be much Averse off Avith the coming of longer days and calmer Aveather.

Lords Hylton, Emmott, LansdoAAme/, qnd Finlay emphasised it Avas impossible to blockade neutrals unless we Avere prepared to go to Avar Avith them.