BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN.

THE EMPIRE'S FINANCES. MR. McKENNA'S OPTIMISM GERMANY EXHAUSTED. Received Nov. 26, 6.20 p.m. * ' London, Nov. 25. Mr. E. McKenna, interviewed by the Kew York Tribune, takes a most hopeful view of the situation, stressing the splendid financial position of Britain in this war of exhaustion. The financial efforts of the country, he said, will be one of the main factors in success. Long before British money runs short, the supply of German men will be exhausted. The reserve of German man power not being called up consists of those over 4 and under 19. The permanent wastage of German soldiers is two hundred thousand per month. Sow we only among the combatant nations are bearing our financial burdens alone. In the heart of this unprecedented war we have imposed new taxation of one hundred millions, affecting all classes, yet the proposals were welcomed in every quarter. We have now the unparalleled revenue of 370 millions from taxes alone. After fifteen months of war the gold market is free, and every scrap of paper issued by the Government can be exchanged for gold at the Bank of England. Germany's system admits of no taxation, and now she can provide no means of meeting the enormous liabilities incurred by the free issue of paper and the accumulation of forced internal loans. Her only hope is the exaction of an indemnity; but her enemies will neVer be defeated, and such liabilities must >lead to national repudiation or bankruptcy. •We must maintain our exports, for wc depend on that trade to pay for our importa. By such means I am absolutely convinced that victory for the Allies is assured.

HELPING THE WORKERS. A BILL TO RESTRICT RENTS. Received Nov. 26, 5.5 pjn. London, Nov. 25. IB the House of Commons, Mr. Walter long introduced a Bill restricting rents, which applied to London and to towns exceeding one hundred thousand population in other districts, where the war influx had caused a scarcity of dwellings. The Bill fixes 8 pre-war rent for houses in London of under £3O per year, and elsewhere of under £2l, and restricts the rate of interest on mortgages on such dwellings. Mr. Long said there had been much bitterness in the munition areas owing to increased rents. JAM CONTRACTS FOR VICTORIA, Received Nov. 26, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 25. He Victorian Government has secured War Office contracts for a further 3% million pounds of jam.

LORD HALDANE AND GERMANY.

A BRITISHER FIRST.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. - .. London, Nov. 24. 3lr. Asquith has issued a reply to a »eque»t for a statement on Lord Haldc':e"3 mission to Berlin in 1912. In Jr.nnary, 1912, an intimation reached the Government from Berlin informally thai a British Minister should visit Berlin with a view to a private and unorll.ial interchange of opinions. The Government, after consideration, approved the suggestion and asked Lord VAldane to go. The Cabinet and the i .reign Secretary fully instructed Lord Haldane, who carried out his mission to the Cabinet's satisfaction. It was not in the public interest at present to add to what had already been published.

LABOR LEADER RESIGNS. London, Nov. 25. fn connection with the Labor contest It Merthyr, Mr. Stanton has resigned the leadership of the miners, disapproving of the views of the local branch of the Independent Labor Party. Mr. Stanton declares that, though a Socialist, he is a British first. He has decided to oppose Mr. Winstone, the Independent Labor Party's selected candidate. NOT TO EMIGRATE. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received Nov. 28, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 25. The Lambeth Guardians refuse to permit boys to emigrate to Canada, because England wants healthy children. London Magistrates are refusing permits to young men who wish to go to South Africa and America, but make an {Xoptios ef Australian*,