News From England

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1915, Page 5

News From England

COTTON FOR GERMANY. A DIFFICULT PROPOSITION. Received July 13, 10 p.m. London, July 13. On a motion for adjournment, Mr. Henry Dalziell raised the question of cotton reaching Germany through neutrals. The Board of Trade had admitted that cotton is still going to Germany, aud thirty millions would purchase thy whole American supply bound for Aus-tro-Germany. Lord Robert Cecil, in reply, said the Government was fully alive to the importance of the subject, which raised difficult financial questions. They had to consider not only Germany, but great r.cotrals like America aud Scandinavia, sue) safeguard their interests. The Government had hitherto acted on a certain plan, and believed it would reasonably be substantially effective. If, on further inquiry, they found cotton going to Germany no regard for Ministerial consistency would prevent the carrying out i of a further plan to secure a stoppage. The suggestion to buy up the American export crop was a tremendous financial undertaking. If cotton were made contraband they were still faced with the difficulty of its going through neutral: THE WAR OFFICE. - QUESTIONS IX PARLIAMENT". THE SHORTAGE OF SHIPPING. London, July 12. In the House of Commons, Sir. A. B. •Markham asked, seeing tliat the operations of the army and the Allies had been crippled and hampered by the failure of the War Office to provide the necessary ammunition, whether Mh _Asquith would give an assurance of the dismissal of all who had proved incompetent. Mr. Asquith said that no further information could at the moment properly be made public. He was satisfied that it would serve no good purpose and be detrimental to the best interests of the nation. (Cheers.) Sir A. B. Markham: Must we understand that the incompetents are being retained? Mr. Asquitlj (warmly): The honorable gentleman must understand nothing of the sort. The Government's determination is in accord with the overwhelming sense of the House. (Cheers.) ■Mr. Herbert Samuel, in reply to a question, said that Inc war bonus granted to post office employees was 3s a week on salaries of Ifts or under and is between 409 and 609. Dr. Addison, Under-Secretary of Munitions of War, in reply to Sir E. A. Cornwall, said that Mr. Lloyd George had sufficient power without further legislation fully to control the metal market in case of need. (Times and Sydney Sun .Services.) London, July 12. Six hundred thousand tons of merchant shipping are on order on the Clyde yards. It will take three years to complete the contracts. In consequence of high freights and the shortage of steam tonnagt, every square-rigged vessel tiiat will float—many have lieen idle for years —has again been commissioned in American waters. MINERS C'REATIXO TROUBLE. London, July 12. ' After a conference with the South Wales miners the leaders announced that it had been resolved not to accept anything less than the original proposals. They would stop the colliers! on Thursday until the demands were accepted. MINERS REFUSE To LISTEN. Received July I.'!, 11.10 p.m. London, July 1:!. The Miners' delesates at Cardiff frequently refuse to listen to members of the executive, and delegates also refuse.l to entertain the proposal of a ballot of miners before taking the final step. The Daily Mail says that if the Miners' Executive fail to redeem their promise not to strike the Government will apply the provisions or the Munitions Acts to Seuth Vales. The Daily Telegraph states that the Board of Trade is finding the coal owners less amenable than coal merchants to reduce the prices of coal, and intends to introduce a Bill this week a secure a reduction. HONORS TO HEROES. London, July 12. The King, at an investiture at Buckingham Palace, presented 350 honors, practically all in connection with his birthday. Ten Victoria Crosses were given, including Belcher, Barter, Ridgley, and Keyworth. The crowd outside cheered wildly and sought to shake hands with them. The police finallv rescued the embarrassed heroes. There was a similar demonstration for the bluejackets who received Distinguished Service medals. The Czar has conferred the Cross of St. George on the officers and crew of the British submarine which sank wari ships in the Baltic.