News from England.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 281, 6 May 1915, Page 5

News from England.

THE CALL TO ARMS. HOW BRITISHERS RESPONDED. STILL FURTHER RESOURCES. Received May 5, 8.30 p.m. London, May 4. Mr. Asquith, addressing wholesale and ictafi traders, said 200,000 out of 450,000 shop assistants of military age had enlisted and also 170,-5 shop clerks and travellers out of 310.C00. Personally he dissented from the View that gravity of the issues was not fully recognised by our countrymen. Britishers did not need to be flogged and goaded by rhetoric before they :eould be induced to obey the call to duty. Never in our history has duty been recognised more clearly or has obedience been more prompt and unselfish. . "I should say to the nation: You have made a magnificent beginning and stemmed the tide'of aggression; proceed in the same temper, fo»t there arc still unused, and to the enemy*,unsuspected resources which you must mobilise and organise to the full."

GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CAUSE. DiTTERMrNED TO SECURE VICTORY. Received May 5, 9.30 p.m. London, May 4. •*■ Mr. Asquith added: "I am not ashamed to call myself an optimist; not that •' I underrate the prowess of the enemy or the gravity of the struggle, but be- , oause I believe, first and foremost, in |fc« the righteousness of our cause, and next because I am confident that we will , leave nothing untried or undone to bring that cause to a decisive and glorious issue. There must not be a man or woman -who, at the end of the struggle,, is not able to say: 'I wasn't idle in the greatest task in the storied annals of our country which has ever fallen to the lot of Britain to .achieve.'"

GERMANY PRAISES BRITISH W : ' ■ — TREATMENT OF. PRISONERS. i London, May 4. A German hook has been published describing the retreat from Paris. It declares that the French strength was due to the magnificent qualities of the Eng- * lisb, who frqm the first realised that a war with the Germans was no game of football. It was the British advance on General von Kluck's left, made possible by General von Haussen's failure to keep pace with the First Army, that brought about General von KiucVs retirement. A German aviator gave timely warning of the British approach, saved the critical situation and permitted an orderly retreat , The Press Bureau states that the American Embassy at Berlin reports that the British officers imprisoned at Burg and Magdeburg are in separate cells, and are allowed only two hours' .exercise in the prison yard tmiiy, when they are permitted to converse. Germany declared that she would afford the same treatment as that given to the submarine prisoners in Britain when Mr. Page was able to report. Mr. Page now reports that there is no solitary confinement of the submarine prisoners in 0 Britain, but they have separate bedrooms. The officers mess together and the men Similarly. The officers have servants, a gymnasium, and outdoor and indoor recreation. The quarters and accommodation are excellent. The reports add that Britain and Germany allow hooks and tobacco, and the food is good. Britain provides money. Questioned in the House of Commons regarding the Germans' use of asphyxiating gases, Mr. Tennarit said the Govern- , ment was considering the employment of similar expedients. Trawlers sighted Zeppelins near Lowestoft. A strong breeze sprang up And the Zeppelins returned eastward.

; MEAT FOR THE ARMY. ; SUPPLIES FROM AUSTRALASIA. . - Received May 5, 8.30 p.m. ■ London, May 4. In the House of Commons Mr. Runeiman, replying to Mr. Thome, said the price of Xew Zealand and Xew South Wales meat had been fixed ■!><• tlTe local : Governments. The Imperial Government had requisitioned the -whole of the Australian and Xew Zealand meat supplies, and it was proposed to place the surplus over the army's requirements upon ( the market for civilians. ITe had asked Sklr. T. Mackenzie (High Commissioner for Xew Zealand) and Mr. Robinson '(Agent-General for Xew South (Wales), and Messrs Montague and Xelson to jjport on t!>? method of placing on the .market and the conditions of sale, in ' order to prevent an undue increase in price such as might arise through a shortage of supplies. The Government ■was now considering their report. Their expert knowledge was of much advantage to national interests.

TAXES. STRONG OPPOSITION. Rec.ivcd -May 5, 8.30 pjn. London, Mav; 4. In tiiu House of Commons Mr. Chamberlain said it was impossible for the Opposition to accept the licensing pro. poaal?. lie urged Mr. Llovd George to consult tit? Trade. Mr. Lloyd George, interposing, said he Mi anxious to come to an arraii"--mcnt witli tie Trade, which was most patriotic. He was not wedded to any scheme, and would therefore postpone his proposals until he received a deputation presenting the brewers and distillers, Mr. Jtonar Law said that .. the taxes were proceeded with in iliefr present form the Government would raise an agitation similar to the Licensing Bill of Mr. Redmond said ho case liad been made out for tiie taxes so far as Ireland was concerned. Mr. Henderson said the White Paper introduced an unnecessary .controversy. The evidence was only that of employers and officials.' T'ie work'men'a side had never been stated or asked for. • The income-tax resolutions wercadopted.

THE WAR BILL. COST OF £2,100,000 A DAY. London, May 4. Mr. Lloyd George, in his Budget speech, said the war was costing £2,100,t'UO a day, and if it lasted throughout the financial year he estimated the expenditure at £1,13-2.654,000, leaving a deficit of £802,322,000. If it lasted half the year the deficit would be £548,346,0*). The Government must depend primarily on the community's .savings. He proposed to renew the income-tax on the j.resent scale.

COST TO END OF FINANCIAL YEAR £307,000,000. ' INCREASE IX THE REVENUE. Received May 5, 5.30 p.m. London, May 4. Mr. Lloyd George declared that he had no doubt a-s to the ultimate issue of the war; only it* duration was in question. It was Dot now the time to base the financial policy for the whole \par, as very much depended on the development during the next two or three months. The operations of the summer alone would enable us to form a dependable opinion as to the duration of the war. , ' To the end pf the financial vcar the war cost : £307000,000. The income-tax last year realised £50270,000, and the super-tax exceeded the estimate by £8,000,000. The national debt now was £1,105,825,000. It was estimated that the total revenue would he increased by £43,038,000, making a total of £270',322.000, of which spirits provided £23,403,000, beer £32,000,000, wine £2,350,000 and tea £0,000,000. SINGAPORE MUTINEERS. Received May 3, 5.45 p.m. London, .May 4. Twenty-two Singapore mutineers were court martiaUcd and shot, while twenty-three were transported. WAR—FIRST.