Australia

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 225, 2 March 1915, Page 5

Australia

FEEDING THE BELGIANS. GERMANS DO NOT INTERFERE. SIR EDWIARD GREY'S LETTER EXPLAINED. AN OFFICIAL ASSURANCE. Received 1, 9.20 p.m. Sydney, March I. Replying to Mr. Holman's cable respecting the Belgians' appeal, Mr. T. A. Coghlan, High Commissioner in London, states that the Germans have not interfered with Belgian food supplies since the beginning of December, and have faithfully kept their agreement. The British Government has not given a monthly subvention, beyond a donation of £IOO,OOO, but is willing to make up the Commission's deficit, provided the Germans cease their pecuniary levies. Sir •Edward Grey's statement was really addressed beyond the Commission to German and neutral opinion. The Foreign Office is exceedingly sorry if Sir Edward's statement has interfered with the flow of privatn charitable contributions. A powerful English committee is being formed, with Lord Bryce as chairman, to privately carry out what the Government would like to do, but what it is prevented' from doing by German levies on the conquered country. The Foreign Office states that the situation regarding .private contributions remains exactly the same as before Sir Edward Grey's letter was written.

RETURNING TROOPS.

NOT ALL "WASTERS." v Sydney, March 1. Mr Bean carefully points out that all the men returning from Egypt are not unsuitable. * A large proportion consist of those whose health has broken down often through hard work and exposure, They are bitterly disappointed that they arc unable to go on. Mr Pearce has cabled to\ General Birdwood his delight at the 1 lgh state of efficiency of the Australasian troops, as shown iri .Mr Bean's cable. Mr Fisher considers it most gratifying. He has no doubt the Australians will acquit themselves as well at the front as in the training camp;;. A carnival arranged by th); police an.f firemen in aid of the Patriotic Funds netted £2202.