MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

ARMY BILL PASSED. CIVILIAN'S ON ARMY TRIBUNALS. Reutev Service. E cived August 8, 5.5 p.m. London, August 7. In the House of Commons the Army Act Amendment Bill was read a second '•'•ime. The Bill will enable cabling to civilian witnesses to attend, and 'also allow civilian membership on army tri'mnais. Mr. Lloyd George agreed not to restrict the membership of the tribun(l to peer's and members of the House of Commons, as at first proposed. ITS OBJECT EXPLAINED, Received August 8, 9.53 p.m. London, August S. The House of Commons has passed the hrmy Act Amendment Bill. Mr. Lloyd George explained that he *ras seeking to protect the young Irish Catholic soldier against an accusation involving his honor. There were other cases involving civilians. Lord Kitchener had approved of this form o"f inquiry. Sir E. Carson approved the Bill, saying he knew a good deal of the facts." SOLDIERS' PENSIONS, A SUPPLEMENTING SCHEME. GOVERNMENT GRANT OF FIVFMILLIONS. Received August S, 9.55 p.m. London. August 8. The Statutory Committee administering the Royal Patriotic Fund has issued details of a scheme for pensions, enabling ilisabled men to receive a maximum combined pension of 50s weekly; widows with children 40s, disabled officers £lB7 Ills annually, officers' widows £l5O. Other beneficiaries include parents and .•Uters. In nearly all cases the scale is partially regulated by pre-war incomes. Mr. MeKcnna asks Parliament 1 o-day to grant £5,000,000 to the Statutory Committee. Mr. McKemui, on being questioned, assured the House that private benefaclions would not be appropriated in order io relieve the State's obligations, but H committee of all parties in the House of Commons was being formed to resist any attempted encroachment. A STATEMENT DENIED, London, August 7. The Press Bureau denies that the King will be visiting the Dominions after the war. ■FEDERATION OF THE EMPIRE. London, August 7. Mr. Lloyd George, reviewing the Canadian troops, said that when the foe was beginning to be exhausted we were prepared to pour in troops. Britain's sons had come from the rolling prairies of Canada, the great islands of the southern seas, from Africa's sunny fountains, and India's coral strand. We were federating this great Empire for a greater future enterprise. As it was before it would never be again. It would be one great coherent unity, which would do more to mould and direct the destiny of the world than ever in the past. INCREASED TRADING, London, August 7. Imports for July increased by £1,045,604, and exports'by £11,001,540. Reexports decreased £151,309. BRAVERY-REWARDED; London, August 7. Victoria Crosses have been awarded to the following:— Lieutenant Batten Pool, of the Ministers, who directed raiders with unflinching courage. When his hand was mutilated by bombs he cheered his men until he received two other wounds and fainted. Captain Green, army medical officer, who rescued an officer caught in the entanglements, dressed his wounds in a shell-hole despite bombs, and was attempting to bring in the officer when he himself was killed. Lieutenant Jones, of the Lancashires, who, when his platoon was isolated from the brigade, himself shot fifteen Germans, and when the ammunition was spent seized a bomb and was shot through the head while throwing it. His bravery so encouraged his men .that they threw stones and ammunition boxes until the nine survivors were compelled to retire. Rees, an aviator, rose to escort ten supposed British aeroplanes homewards, but discovered they were Germans. Rees then forced one to descend, dispersed five, seriously damaged two, and continued to light at close range, although wounded in the thigh, until his ammuniton was spent and returned safely. Private Chaff, East Yorkshire, seeing a despatch-bearer half buried and unconscious, carried on the despatch. He showed great initiative at a critical moment and collapsed from wounds after delivering it. Sergeant Erskine, Sixth Rifles, showed i an utter disregard of danger, and thrice rushed out and rescued a sergeant, prii vate and an officer. Sapper Hackett, Engineers, was en- . tombed with three comrades in a gallery, i When the rescuers reached Hackett he ; declined to leave the other man who i was seriously wounded. The gallery i again collapsed, and the rescuers worked desperately for four days, but failed to reached Hackett, who well knew the danger of retreating, and deliberately gave his life for his comrade. Private Proctor, Liverpool Regiment, ; wenf out in full view and dressed the i wounds of two comrades, and gave one - his .own clothing, thus enabling their i rescue after dark. Private Stringer. Manchester, kept . back the enemy single-handed until all his grenades >vere expended. His gallant stand saved the flank and enabled the battalion to steadily Withdraw. j ZEPPELIN RAIDER DAMAGED. t ! The Hague. August 7. - | It is reported that a Zeppelin raider ) j which was damaged in England came • l down in the neighbourhood of Hanover. - I =====