BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

ANTICIPATING THE BUDGET. A BLOCKADE MINISTER. London, Feb. 22. Lobby opinion expects a further extension of the Customs tariff to be an important feature of the next Budget. Many articles now exempt will be added. Mr. McKenna will aim at striking luxuries, but will have regard to future trade with the Dominions and the Allies. It is understood *hat Cabinet contemplates making a single Minister responsible for the enforcement of the German blockade, exercising the powers now distributed between the Foreign Office, Admiralty, Board of Trade and elsewhere. It is likely that Lord Robert j Cecil will be appointed to the position. I THE WALTON HOSPITAL j 1 London, Feb. 22. At Sir Thomas Mackenzie's invitation Mr. Fisher visited the Walton-on-Thames Hospital. There are 250 patients, -who are mostly able to take daily outings. Only the most stubborn cases, notably of rheumatism, are unable to go out. The following have been at Walton since the hospital opened in August:— Privates McGahey (Wellington), MacBurney (Auckland), Sergeant Black (Canterbury), and Bugler Chegwidden (Auckland). There are no serious cases. One of the cheeriest is a Maori, John Morgan, who has lost both legs. There have been no recent arrivals, except an occasional accident case. Arthur Sanders (Wellington, is suffering from concussion (received on Saturday while playing football.

Lady Mackenzie and Mr. Hills accompanied Mr. Fisher, who was impressed by the excellence of the organisation, and admired the system of putting the men on their honor, which resulted in their not breaking the rules, and the extremely comfortable and delightful surroundings. The military regard it as a model hospital, and constant visits are made by high officials, who ere unanimous in their approval. : —— * BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR. London, Feb. 22. The British Industries Fair has opened in the South Kensington Museum. INTERNED ALIENS. London, Feb. 22. Mr. Samuel stated that 12,440 alien males and 10,500 females remained uninterued. The majority were of friendly races t < . TURKISH CLAIM REFUTED. London, Feb. 22. In the !!oii?e of Commons, Mr. Chamberlain referred to the Turkish claim to have annihilated a British force. He said the fight occurred on January 12 between a reconnoitring party from Aden and a Turkish detachment. A British officer and four Indian soldiers were killed, and four British officers and five Indian soldiers wounded. There were 200 enemy casualties. The British were neither annihilated nor defeated. WAR VOTE AGREED TO. Received Teb. 24, 12.'40 a.m. London, Feb. 2.1, The House of Commons passed the war credit vote.