BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

RECRUITING. THE CALL-UP A SURPRISE. ' London, Feb. 13. It is announced that the calling-up of the remaining eleven classes of unmarried men fame as a surprise, as it was expected they would be called up in batches at intervals. There has been activity at the War Office during the last few days. It is noteworthy in this connection that the Army Council sent new recruiting instructions to Birmingham, pointing out that the calling up of the first four groups resulted in obtaining a very small percentage of the possible men. Tile lists must be revised continually. It is also believed, but not confirmed, that the younger Derbyite married men will be notified within a month.

PREFERENCE FOR DOMINION GOODS. TO SHOW BRITAIN'S GRATITUDE. London, Feb. 13. The Spectator's conversion to preference is arousing comment. The Spectator thus justifies preference: "We feel most strongly, when we consider not only the gallantry with which the overseas Britons have fought for ua, but the generosity with which they are bearing a large portion of our burdens, that we must, if only by way of compliment and as a salute of gratitude to men of our flesh and blood, give a special welcome to their goods at our ports. Preference for things grown within the Empire will include wheat and meat, which we desire to tax very lightly, though it is necessary to raise some revenue from them. When the war is over the need for a tariff will remain, but there will be no necessity for restrictions of trade beyond that. No freetrader will raise objections to colonial preference so long as it is properly and wisely worked. The freetraders' ideal will not be merely to give a preference to the colonies by halving the tariff, but to trade absolutely freely; then the freetrader and preferentfalist will indeed march hand in hand."

BETTER WORK. DISTILLERIES AS MUNITION FACTORIES. Received Feb. 14, 10.50 p.m. London, Feb. 14. Mr. Lloyd George is taking over and transforming all distilleries into munition factories. The transfer does not include pot-still distilleries, and distillers will be compensated. It is understood that the spirits in bond represent two years' supply. LEATHER FOR BRITISH BOOTS. Rome, Feb. 13. Italy ia releasing the quantity of heavy Italian hides weekly required by for British Army for boots. The War Office in return will give Italy a month's option for the purchase of Daca kips. MERCHANT SHIPPING AT GLASGOW. London, Feb. 13. The Central News reports that shipbuilders in Glasgow state that- the Government is granting facilities to complete half a million tons of merchant shipping to relieve the shortage. NEW ZEALANDERS AT FOOTBALL. London, Feb. 13. In a football match at Windsor, the New Zealanders defeated the 2nd Life Guards by 27 points to nil. Many wounded Anzac men were spectators. ANOTHER LARGE VOTE. Received Feb. 14, 11.35 p.m. London, Feb. V 4. The Daily News states that the Government will.ask for a vote of at least 250 millions wherewith to carry on over the end of the financial year.