BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

TRADE REVIVAL. INCREASED EXPORTS i London, Feb. 8. The greater proportionate increase In exports than imports as regarded as moat encouraging. An analysis shows considerable increases in the imports of food, drink, and tobacco. The principal items showing increase in the exports vwe iron and steel. The increase of reexports of foreign and colonial mercliandiae is considered satisfactory.

FURTHER REPINGTON VIEWS. London, Feb. 8. Jolonel Repington, in the Times, points oiit that General von Falkenhayn, German- Commander in Chief, has not revealed hie plans of campaign for the coming year. The attack on Frise shows that the West is not invulnerable. We know that the Germans have brought seventeen divisions westward from Rus»!a, and are told that they are massing ; K*avy sum. Nevertheless, General von Jalkenhayn may only rattle us in the Wait and then turn and geek to overthrow Russia by a stroke at Petrograd, vrhwe the Russians' greatest supply of war materials is' located. It would alio be possible to destroy the Russian ,fle*t. For thk it is necessary to draw .PoiSiia's attention southward until General von Hindenburg is ready. There is no evidence that there are 60,000 Germans south of the Danube. Possibly there are none, except the stiffening on the way to Syria and Bag4M. jlt may be that 100,000 Bulgars m» holding up 200,000 of the Allies at Salonika. Germany hopes by the Turkish? threat to attract to Egypt and divert 800,000 British troops from the principal theatre at the decisive hour. The Allies ought to display a plan of their own. »>■ « '?. THE BLOCKADE WEAPON. FELT BY GERMANY, j Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Feb. 8. Striking evidence that Germany is feelihg the blockade is the imposition of • '.new set of economic regulations empowering the Government to take control of the whole of the products of the German textile industries and stringently regulating retail sales to one article .to one customer daily. Accompanying the sensational measures are semiofficial assurances that there is no scarcity of raw materials, and that this w merely precautionary. Inspired articles in the press soothing!y seek to allay the public alarm, quotng the Times' economic articles as proof that England admired the German economic conduct of the war. and asking: "jfball England's patriotism shame German) ?" The Government has also further restricted the production of beer, > /*uii it it now 48 per cent, below normal. They uave inaugurated two meat fast day* weekly, and are reducing the soldiers' meat to avoid a ruinous depletion of the cattle stocks, which have already decreased 25 peT cent. The press hope's that all Will submit without murmuring to deprivation, so long as it is impossible for Germany to secure supplies.

WAR OFFICE STAr ' | RUMORED CHANGES. London, Feb. 8. The Daily Sketch says that changes of great importance are contemplated. Lord Kitchener will probably leave the War Office, and General Sir William Robertson, Chief of Staff, take over the active direction of the war, without any interference except ky the full Cabinet. A civilian, of real grganising ability will become Secretary for War, and that will leave Lord Kitchener free for important work elsewhere. BRITISH TRADZ. i GERMAN CRITICISM. Received Feb. 9. 9.45 p.m. London, Feb. 9. A German wireless eays that Herr Helfferich/s reply to Mr. Edward Holden (of the" City and Midland Bank) asserts tb»,t England's exports are crippled to half, while the imports have increased till the balance of trade against England is £500,000.000, instead of £150,000,000. Tie war is costing Britara 2s per day f«t head, and Germany Is. THE ADMIRALTY. A RESIGXA'-lON RUMORED. Received Feb. 9, 9.45 p.m. London, Feb. 9. The Daily Telegraph reports a rumor of the impending resignation of Admiral Sir H. B. /action (First Sea Lord). The iJdWMty nC*"': '■' *omatlptu *

NEW ZEALAND IN LONDON. \ SPIRIT OF OUR POSTERS. Received Feb. 9, 9.45 p.m. London, Fob. 9. There was considerable public interest n the exhibition of Australian and New Zealand and other dominion posters at the Mansion House, as part of a vigorous recruiting campaign. The Lord Mayor also entertained many Australian and New Zealand wounded soldiers to tea. The Daily Telegraph remarks: "The pictures breathe the virile fighting spirit of our heroic kinsmen overseas." PLEA FOR ECONOMY. GREATER TAXATION ADVOCATED. Received Feb. 9, 11.45 p.m. London, Feb. 9. The economy campaign is proceeding apace. Sir Charles Booth, chairman of the Cunard line, speaking at Liverpool, urged individual thrift secured by ruthless taxation, a great increase in incometax and super-taxes, and indirect taxation of every article unnecessary for consumption. Voluntary effort may help, hut cannot win the war. Local authorities are rigorously cutting down the rates, expecting reductions of a shilling in the pound in most boroughs. Postal deliveries have been reduced to two daily.

IMPORTATION OF PICTURE FILMS. Received Feb. 9, 9.45 p.m. • London, Feb. 9. The probability of the importation of films being forbidden has caused consternation in the industry. Speakers at a meeting of the trade stated that if the importation was forbidden the majority of the picture theatres would close down. MINERS AND COMPULSION, Received Feb. 9, 9.30 p.nf. London, Feb. 9. The Miners' Conference at Lancaster is discussing in camera the attitude the Military Service Act, LESS SWEETS, ! deceived Feb. 9, 9.30 p.m.' I London, Feb. 9. The Sugar Commission announces that [ owing to the shortage of tonnage further restriction on importation is necessary. The public will have to reduce their consumption of sugar, jams, biscuits, and sweetmeats, and keep the price down.