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Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1916, Page 5

GETTING BETTER.

._ KAISER GOES TO LUNCH. •='■" Received Jan. 17, 10.15 p.m. Amsterdam, Jan. 17. A Berlin telegram states that the Kaiser has completely recovered, and lunched at Herr von Bethmann Hollweg's palace. HIGH COST OF LIVING. WORKERS HUNGRY. New York, Jan. 16. A message says that the Berlin Zeitung, discussing the food shortage, declares that it is difficult to imagine things becoming worse now without a crowning disaster occurring. The masses are hungry all day, and many articles of consumption have reached prices wholly beyond the pockets of the working classes. Hunger renders them sullen and deprives them of all the joy of victories, even though all the bells are ringing. The under-fed children are wanlooking, like faded flowers everywhere. That the extent of the fall "in the birth-rate is occupying the attention of the Government was evidenced at a meeting of the Peopled Welfare Association, at which a representative of the Prussian Ministry was present. He said the Government, was fully aware of the importance of the question and its bearing on the future of the nation, especially now that hund-eds of thousands of young men were being cut off in the flower of their youth. ' Meantime the military have forbidden holding meetings to discuss the high cost of living.

VOLUNTEERS FOR EGYPT. London, Jan. 16. Renter's Amsterdam correspondent states that the German commander of Belgium has called for volunteers for Egypt, offering twenty days' furlough. There has been the poorest response. WORKERS AND TAXATION. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Jan. 16. Swiss Socialist* newspapers state that the German worker-, are indignant at the new taxes, 000 million marks of which are indirectly passed on to them. Twenty thousand German deserters are domiciled in Switzerland. An agitation has been commenced for their internment, as they are regarded as dangerous characters. A PESSIMISTIC OUTLOOK. Times and Sydney Sim Services. London, Jan. 16. A neutral correspondent in the Telegraaf gives his impressions r,f a visit to Germany. Everywhere he was struck by the number of wounded soldiers, and the Red Cross flag was prominent in all the towns and villages There was an almost entire absence of middle-aged men, and women and children and old meii were carrying out the field work. There was a total absence of gold. The prevailing temper of the people was no longer jubilant, but tending to be pessimistic. From conversations with wounded soldiers it was unquestionable that they had had more than enough, There was a total absence of enthusiasm.