News from England

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 255, 7 April 1915, Page 5

News from England

BEER DRINKING DECREASES. INCREASE OF SPIRIT CONSUMPTION. Received April 6, 6.20 p.m. London, April 0. Excise returns show that in December •nd. January, as compared with the cor- * responding months of the previous venr, brewage decreased by 1,800,000 barrel?. Distillation of spirits increased by 20!),- ' 000 gallons. Unofficial returns show that the March consumption of beer had fallen almost at the same rate, but there was a sti:l larger increase in . spirit drinking. The heavy war tax is held to be responsible for the.change in drinking habits. ROYALTIES TURN TEETOTAL. AN EXAMPLE TO THE NATION. Received April 6, 8 p.mT h , London, April 0. The King has directed the immediate banishment of wines, spirits, and beer from the Royal household. MB. RAMSAY MACDONALD. r ; CRITICISES RUSSIA'S MOTIVES. / London, April 5- , Prior to the opening of the Independent Labor Party's conference at Norwich Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, addressing the Union of Democratic Control, contended that Russia's motives for entering the ; war were to secure power in toe Balkans and Turkey. Magnificent declarations •were made to us about liberty, treaty ( rights and national independence, but all were going into the melting pot and would be mixed up with Russia's ideas of tyranny and French ideas of revenge. Prussian militarism could not be crushed on the battlefields. - The smashing blow must come from the Prussian people.