GENERAL ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1915, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS.

NOTES FROM THE TIMES. WORK OF THE TRAWLERS. Times und Sydney Sun Service!'. London, Nov. 21. Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett pays n tribute to tlio work of trawlers in tlio Mediterranean, used for patrolling tlu> lines of communication and conveying supplies for the troops from Mudros to Galiipoli. Tlie Xortli Sea fishermen are a magnifieent race, and arc contemptuous of others, regarding seamanship as a lost art except by themselves. For eight months they have swept the Straits and braved shells and submarines. Elsewhere, during thousands of trips, the only loss was that of a trawler sunk by slieillire at Anzae. LOUD DERBY'S RCITEirE. Lord Derby, speaking at Edinburgh, said that Mr. Asquith's statement on November 2 was that of an honorable man speaking to a nation. Personally, Lord Derby saw no difference between his statement and that of Mr. Asquith, who at one time said "other methods" and in a later statement said ''compulsory methods."

Lord Derby added: ''There is 110 alternative to voluntarism except compulsion. Single men must understand that if they do not come forward we shall be forced to consider coompulsion. As the one responsible for this scheme, I give you my personal pledge that I will see absolute faith kept with the married men who joined under an assurance given by the country. 1 would not stand bad faith with those ready to risk their lives for their country. The married men will not be called upon until Mr. Asquith's conditions are filltilled."

WAR OFFICE CONTRACTS. London, Nov. 21. In the House of Commons, in a criticism in" the business methods of tli.War 011' ice, .Sir .Joseph Walton said that the Government had overbought klinki. There was enough for tifteen million uniforms. Mr. Forster defended the War Oll'ice. U had provided hutti.ii,' accommodation for '280,000 men in tiie lir»t four months of the war, a font unparalleled in engineering history. Mr. Bonar Law, replying to the criticism, said that every member might feel i;ssiired that the Government's actions and intentions were not influenced by the idea that, having made a mistake, they were going to see it out. GERMAN INTRIGUE IN CHINA. Peking, Nov. 21. Tlie German Legation is spending increased amounts in the propagation of falsehoods and lurid tales about India. It is hoped to stir up the Chinese hy tin? latest accusation that Britain has sold China to Japan. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. Received Nov. 22, 5.5 ji.ni. London, Nov. 21. The Morning Post, in a leading article, states that Mr. Bonnr Law* says the linancinl position is extremely dangerous. Experience teaches us'that the remedy is a duty on imports, united with a system of preferential agreements with the dominions, which would save this country and unit* the Empire. The dominions would thus he encourr.gei! to grow more food and would look inside tiia Empiiq til tlu £utus»