BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

THE WAR IN PARLIAMENT. QUESTIONS IN THE LORDS, v London, March 22. Lord Crewe, in the House of Lords, replying to a question as to what was being done to foster inventive talent for war purposes, said that close attention had been given to numerous inventions submitted to the board and a vast amount of work was being done in all the principal chemical and physical laboratories. The Duke of Devonshire, replying to Lord Beresford, said there was no record of officers in the naval air service losing their lives through faulty machines, but two were killed in carrying out experiments, ' ■■ .:.' : . * DOUBLE INCOME-TAX. * MAY BE RENDERED EQUITABLE. London, March 22. The London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says that in all probability new arrangements as to the double income-tax will be announced in the Budget. From the Treasury point or view there is nothing inequitable about a, person who lives in one country and derives his income from another country paying a tax in both. The correspondent understands that probably there will be a reciprocal arrangement by which the profits earned in the.Dominions and received by residents in the Motherland will be charged only with the difference between the Imperial tax and that levied in the Dominions. The Income-Tax Association Is not aware whether the concession announced by the Manchester Guardian is accurate. Tf it is they consider it will be due to their agitation. While the concession is not all they are asking, it would be a considerable relief in some cases.

NEW SHIPPING NOTE. TO RELIEVE CONGESTION. London, March 22. The Port and Transit Executive Committee has introduced a new form of shipping note intended to relieve the congestion. Some merchants consider it unworkable, aa it entails much clerical labor. Australasian members of the Chamber of Commerce are asking Mr. Fisher and Sir Thomas Mackenzie to approach the Government in connection therewith. ANZACS WERE THERE. A ROYAL TEA PARTY. London, March 22. At the King's invitation Mr. Hughes and his wife attended the afternoon tea and concert at Buckingham Palace, where a thousand convalescents and many Anzacs were guests of their Majesties. Tea was served in large marquees, the princesses and other royalties walking round the tables, chatting cordially and helping to pour out tea. Tho most pathetic sight was the blinded soldiers, headed by a nurse. They entered in a long, shuffling file, each man guided by a hand upon another's shoulder.

A concert, by the best artists in London, was held in the riding-school. There were thunderous cheers when the King, in naval uniform, with the Queen and Royalties, entered and bowed. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Fisher were in the seats of honor in the front row. The liveliest part of the programme was the singing of "Australia Will Be There," the Anzacs joining in the chorus lustily. AUTOGRAPHS OF THE DOWAGER QUEEN. Received March 20, 5.5 p.m. London, March 22. Mr. Hughes said that the wounded men were impressed by their Majesties' genuine sympathy and inquiries. The men crowded round Queen Alexandra while she busily autographed the programmes, and she was not dismayed by the length of the queue of the waiting soldiers. Mr. Hughes later on remarked: "This was tlie most touching sight I have witnessed since I have been in England. The cheerfulness of those men, especially of the blind, was wonderful. I am glad that the King and Queen have extended their generous hospitality to the Australians, who are determined to continue. , MR. HUGHES' VISIT. MAY BE PROLONGED. Received March 23, 5.5 p.m. .London, March 22. There is a possibility that Mr. Hughes' mission will not be completed by April 10, when he expects to sail. Such an impression has already been made by him that it is considered not wise that lie should leave before he has fully influenced British opinion, and he may prolong his visit. "FOOD IN A FAMINE." & COMPLIMENT. '•' Received March 23, 8.10 p.m. London, March 23. The Pall Mall Gazette says-. "Mr. Hughes' personality is welcomed among us with-almost the eagerness that we receive food in a time of famine. Throughout the war we have been pining for leadership, but the war has produced no outstanding figure who would command the public confidence, The country urgently wants definite conceptions and aims, and if Australia has given us her sons in battle, cannot she lend us her statesmen to assist in counsel and direction? Mr. Hughes' inclusion in the Cabinet for the duration of the war would accelerate the prospects of J*iun>Db.,'i "'"" ~ r "~" "*