BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

THE BLOCKADE, SEIZURE OF GERMAN SECURITIES. - h ■ London, March W. Britain is detaining securities sent by Germany to neutrals for sale on German account. The object is to counteract tta policy of securing credits ,i$ Neutral countries by selling German holding! of foreign securities, which is designed- to ihcre&se the financial strength on which the enemy power of reustthpe-depends. Securities are seized only when there is a direct presumption tf their enemy origin. —« •«, •v. trouble over married ; RECRUITS, 4 London, March 14. The House. of Commons, in view of <the introduction of the army estimates, the. expectation of Sir E. Grey's etnemeilt , regarding Portugal, was crowded; Questions revealed considerable feeling regarding the working of the Military - Service Bill, and the dangers of air raids was emphasised by the introduction of Mr. Billing,■ amid cheers and some cries of "Resign." The possibility of trouble ahead for the coalition is suggested by ttft 'announcement that Mr. Gibson Bowles is contesting the Market Harborough by-election on behalf of married men, who are protesting against being called Op before the single men em--1 'ployell'itt ; th« YfeServi trtdes. t Replying to Sir J. Walton, Mr. Tennant said that conscientious objectors would be organised for the relief of combatants.. The objectors were not ■wanting in physical courage and the opportunity of winning's the hero's crown would not be denied.

TRADE AFTER THE WAR. ' , London, March 14. ( Ap agreement has been signed between . British and Italian financial groups, the former having a capital of a million 'and the latter of £400,000, to develop economic relations in both countries. The Metal Bulletin says that arrangements have been completed, with the Government's approval, to eliminate German shareholding in Henry Mertons for. all times ' OVERSEA PARLIAMENTS. London, March 14. The United Kingdom branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association is inviting 32 members of the overseas Parliaments to visit London in July. Of these Australia will have ten, Canada ten, New Zealand four, South Africa six, and<, Newfoundland two delegates, selected by the branches of the association. They will see something of the war organisation, and exchange opinions informally with, fellow-Members of other Parliaments. Lordsi "Milßer," Bfyce, Burnham and SVfUnham, Messrs Haves-Fisher, SteelMaitland, Amery, Beck and Crooks are actively furthering the scheme, and Messrs Balfour, Bonar Law and Harcourt approve »f it. The visitors will . receive hotel accommodation and travel facilities on .this side. As the visit is strictly for binfhess it is impossible to inljitift ladies. The visit will enable dflegaie's to exchange view* with French, Russian and British parliamentarians, as wall as a desirable exchange between ' •vcrscas members. , MR. FISHER AT HOME. London, March 14. Mr. Fisher, High Commissioner for Australia, was the principal speaker at p big meeting at the Mansion House on behalf of the 'Fight for the Right" movement, which is organising the moral and intellectual force of the country on behalf of the Allied cause. Tll» flldbe„'referring to Mr. Hughes' refreshing plain speaking, hopes he will force' Mr. Asffliith and the free trade members of the Cabinet to a decision on the tariff question. "Let Mr. Hughes," says the Globe, -"put the unvarnished facts before the Cabinet and compel a decision. He will r have an overwhelming majority of business men in Britain behind him, with Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa rallied to the flag. The miserable remnant of Cobdenism in the fjovernment will perforce capitulate.'' SHIPPING PROBLEMS. r.ondon, March 14. yfri Hughes interviewed Mr. Rnnci- ' man and leading shipowners about a scheme for organising the British mercantile marine in order to effect a better utilisation of tiie tonnage at the disposal of the nation. He is also negotiating proposals -dealing with metals. Opinion in Britain inclines to the restriction of traffic from Australasia to England in everything excepting essentials.' It is recognised that this would be a llow to. home industries, but Britain ' must be prepared to sacrifice luxuries; and' the drastic restriction of other traffic will enable the more rapid shipment .of wheat. It is believed that higher freights fere inevitable, owing to the demands fpr tonnage the River iPjutS, to

' BRITISH FORCES. HEARTY AXD CONFIDENT, SORTING OUT RECRUITS. Received March 13, 9.15 p.m. London, March 13. In the House of Commons Mr. Tennant read the following message from General Sir Douglas Haig: Requirements in food, forage, clothing, equipment, and transport hare been met from the outset with unfailing regularity, while the quality and quantity of the supplies left nothing to be desired. The forces had been increased from two corps to a large army, but provision for the army's wellbeing, either in sickness or health, continues to be all that could be wished, ae a result of the strenuous labors devoted to increasing and maintaining the army. All are in good health and good heart and confident of victory. Continuing, Mr. Tennant said that if this was a war of attrition, especially a war of attrition for men, the War Office was trying to conserve the men .as much as possible. Millions were enrolled in four days in the final wave of enthusiasm under the Derby scheme. The Government was taking energetic steps to carry out its pledge that single men should go to the colors before married men. They were revising the lists of reserve occupations, and hoped to reduce to a minimum the single men of military age and physique whom it was necessary to keep at home. The Government was very much alive to the importance of the question, and it was not going to let married men down. Instead of granting commissions first and then training officers, the War Office was now selecting men from the ranks and transferring them to cadet units for four months' training. If they proved efficient they were given a commission for service. T ' <•- , THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN. J HONORS FOR OFFICER?. Received March 15, 9.20 p.m. London, March 15. For services at the withdrawal from Gallipoli, Generals Altham, Byng, and Godley have been created Commanders of the Bath. Colonel MaeMunn (Artillery) and Colonel Cyril White (Australian Division) have been made Companions. / PACIFIC PROBLEMS. AUSTRALIAN PREMIER AXD IMPERIAL MINISTERS. Received March 15, 9.25 p.m. London, March 15. Mr. Hughes discussed Pacific problems with Ministers, but lie does not wish anything of the nature of the discussion published. THE BUDGET. i TWENTY MILLIONS SURPLUS. Received March 15, 0.45 p.m. London. March 15. There are indications that the Budget «ill show a surplus of • £20.000,000. EXEMPTED OCCUPATIONS. STRINGENTLY REVISED, Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received March 15. !1.15 p.m. London, March 15. The War Office is stringently revising the exempted occupations, releasing the majority of the unmarried* and retaining only those engaged in the most vital work, and substituting female labor wherever possible. ' The War Office is also deleting luxuries, trades hitherto exempted, including tobacco, silk and lace. English and Scotch woollen manufacturers have arranged that every cloth piece is to be measured thirty-six inches to the yard instead of thirty-seven inches as formerly. WOMEN AS WHARF LABORERS. London, March 14. Leylands, the shipowners, are employing fifty women dockers in Liverpool. The union is srot«stia£