GENERAL ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1915, Page 3

GENERAL ITEMS.

New York, August 11. A Berne correspondent states that the German losses to date total 2,178,liSij. The latest casualty lists give the Prussian losses as 1,041,509, Bavarians, Saxons and Wurtcmburgers 537,111. London, August 11. A city group, headed by Richard Tilden Smith, has purchased the German combine's Swansea Wale zinc smelting works with the intention of increasing ■the output of spelter from 5000 tons to 25,000 tons per annum, supplies to be drawn from the llurma zinc mines. The plant is a facsimile of Germany's. The city people consider this acquisition an advantage, for the Zinc Corporation and Broken Hill Companies. The National War Output Committee is arranging to bring to England, for the production of munitions, South African and Australian boilernuikers, millwrights, titters and engineers. A Berlin wireless message states that the good crops will soon permit an increase in the bread distributions and a decrease in price. The potato crop, prospects arc excellent, and prices will soon he at peace level. Amsterdam, August HLissauer's "Song of Hate'' is losing ■favor. The Tageblatt approvingly quotes fronuthe Koelnische Yolks Zeitung a clergyman's letter deploring the song, and urging its removal from children's books. Melbourne, August 11. The King's message in reply to the resolutions carried by the two Houses recording the determination to carry the war to a victorious end, cxpi esses warm appreciation of the generous support given and the sacrifices made by the Commonwealth, and the brilliant and effective service the Australian 'naval and military forces have rendered. The coroner ju dilieil the sentry's shooting of the German, Pausehor, at the concentration camp. The shot was intended for, and wounded, another disobedient prisoner, Midler, and then pas -F.ed through the hut in which Fauschei was sitting.

Special hospital accommodation has been "Jrfe> i .jded for military meningitis cases, wlilcTi now number fiflytwo. Three additional deaths have occurred. '—Sydney, August 12.

The Herald, urging the pressing need for more men and weapons, says tin example of New Zealand and Canada in raising subscriptions to present ma-chine-guns to the forces might well be followed. The Suburban and Counly Golfers Association has decided to stop lie publication of fixtures or results in oidcr to assist recruiting. The president, urged the Government to stop football,', rony racing and boxing in order to impress the young men of their duty in the present crisis. \ ' The Telegraph' comments on Mr Hodman's congratulations to S.r Joseph Ward on the formation of a National Ministry thai they will carry on iiresistible implication of buck-handed censure on Mr. Fisher for not taking similar steps. Congratulations that New Zealand's freer political'systcm per .nil-' her to rise to Lights of more genuine and self-sacrificing patriotism should prove pleasant reading to the Feleral Labor caucus, whose inflexible machinery renders National Government impossible. It ab.o favorably comments on the Dominion's promptitude in sending postal officials to Egypt to investigate delays, and adds: ''Now that the more upto date New Zealand Government has ifikfji action the sleepy department in this continent may wake up." Tn the T.egUktiiii Council, Mr. Carruthers thought that the Govnrnirienf should consider whethir the time had not come to treat Germans or naturalised Germans as enemies. There were a number trading in the city and supplving liquor ajift other commodities. In view of the. horrible methods employed by Germans in war, one had a fight to disk wether it was safe to allow Germans in our midst to supply food and drink to citizens. Other members sup ported, and the vice-president pointed out tbnt the matter was oiie for federal jurisdiction, however thoroughly they agreed with the sentiments expressed. London, August 11. The Canadian Pacific and Allan Line fleets are uniting. King Albert of Belgium has been gazetted Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess Charlotte of Wales' Dragooa G mrds. Rear-Admiral Beatty has been promoted to yiee-ailmiial, and General Hunter-Westo!) has been piade Com mander of the Bath.