GENERAL CABLES

Taihape Daily Times, 13 December 1917, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES

BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR.

LONDON, Dec 11

Mr J. D. Macpherson, Under-Secre-tary for War, states that British prisoners in Germany total 1863 officers and 41,836 men, in Turkey 340 officers and 1959 men, in Bulgaria 42 officers and 586 men, and in Austria 12 officers and 74 men The captures last month are included in this return. A GIFT TO THE NATION. BY DUKE OF WESTMINSTER, Received 9.5. • LONDON, December 12. The Daily Frfess sltatofs~_ ttjhat (the Duke of Westminster is presenting Eaton as a gift to the nation. POST WAR RELATIONS WITH GERMANY. Received 8.40. LONDON, December 12. In the House of Commons the NonFerrous Metals Bill was read a second time by 182 to 79. Mr Runcinman declared the Bill was unworthy of the British nation. The Government should consider how far it conflicted with president Wilson's economic policy. Mr. Bonar Law declared the Bill was based on Paris Conference resolutions. He denied it would interfere to any extent with British trade, and reiterated that we must stop German penetration. It was essential to let ovlri kjiiemjfcs know wo the powers we had, and when the time came we should not hesitate to use them. It was perfectly plain that many members of the House thought it would be the right thing after the war to deal with Germany precisely as in the past. Cries of "Never!"

Mr. Bonar Law added the Bill was really raised by the issue of policy. Membejrs had to decide whether they meant to mage a change in Britain's relations with Germany after the war.

CALLEATJX TO BE IMPEACHED FOR HIGH TREASON.

Received 9.15. PARIS, December 12

A Bill has been introduced in the Chamber of Deputies impeaching Caillaux, who will be indicted before a court martial on fx charge of treason.

COMPULSORY RATIONING. Received 10 a.m. LONDON, Dec 12. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham is submitting to Lord Rhondda a scheme for rationing the city by card system, avoiding queues. BRISTOL AS A COMMERCIAL SEAPORT. Received 9.5. LONDON, Dec 12. The Bristol City Council is expending £1,235, 000 in enlarging the Government docks owing to the growth of the port's business. GERMAN PEACE SUGGESTION. WHAT HAS BECOME. OF IT? LONDON, Dec 12. Mr A. J. Balfour, in the House o* Commons, stated that in September last the Government received from Germany a communication, sent through a neutral diplomatic channel, that Germany would be glad to make a communication to the British Government regarding peace. The Government replied that they were prepared to receive any "communication Germany desired to make to them, and discuss it with the Allies. The G6vernment informed France, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States of the German suggestion, and their reply No answer had been returned. No other official commtinTCaffon had been received.