BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN.

CLERGY AND ENLISTMENT. LORD DERBY'S VIEWS. London, Dec. 5. The Primate, in a letter to Lord Derby, complained that some of the clergy incur the stigma of being shirkers when they decline to enlist, acting under a bishop's instructions. Lord Derby lias replied that ministers of all denominations must do their duty by obeying their superiors' orders, and no slur can be attached to them. BEFORE THE ELEVENTH. SUPREME EFFORT WANTED. (Received Dec. C, 11.45 p.m. London, Dec. G. Mr. Thomas, 11. P., addressing the railwaymen, after discussing the matter of recruiting with Lord Derby, said he could -say that the recruiting scheme was not as successful as Lord Derby had anticipated. He had a right to expect that si supreme effort must be made before Dec. 11. BOGUS MUNITION CONTRACTS. London, Dec. si. Priestly, a commission agent, was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for having attempted to trade in war material without a permit. Letters intercepted indicated that the prisoner was attempting to push the sale of one or two million Mausers. Other documents related to 5000 tons of picric acid and a million Mausers, and included plans of mines, bombs, aeroplanes and airships. Mr. Bodkin, prosecuting, said on behalf of the War Office that German agents in America were putting people forward to contract to supply munitions to the Allies, knowing' they were unable to supply the goods. The importance of the scheme could not be exaggerated. WARNING TO INSURANCE COMPANIES. London, Doc. 5. The Admiralty caution insurance companies against communicating particulars of risks on Government work to companies and persons other than British when effecting reinsurance. Offenders are liable to prosecution, and -will also lie prosecuted if particulars are sent to countries outside the Empire, whether to branch establishments of registered British companies or otherwise. DRUNKENNESS REDUCED. London, Dec. fl. The Weekly Dispatch, comparing the convictions for drunkenness last week with those of the preceding week, claims that it has been proved that people can be made sober by legislation, and that partial prohibition docs lessen drinking. The Bow Street convictions have dropped 50 per cent. LONDON GREEKS ARE LOYAL. London, Dec. 5. The Creek community in London, in order to express its pro-Entente sympathies, is equipping ambulances for'the British in the Balkans. Six thousand pounds sterling has been subscribed. CARNEGIE FUNDS. London, Doc. 5. With a view to meeting the Government's desire for the realisation of American securities as a means towards the regularisation of exchange, the Carnegie Hero Fund, University of Scotland, and Dunfermline trustees, are selling five million sterling worth of Steel Corporation bonds and investing in the war loan.