MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

BRITISH AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT. AN INTERESTING REPORT. London, Sept. 10. | Mr. Bell, Chicago correspondent of the Daily Xens, in a striking article on the I development of aircraft, says that directly the war started Britain decided to increase her expenditure 500 per cent. Forty million 'had beep spent on construction alone, compared with only a million before the war. Instead" of eighty aeroplanes there were now thousands, and air mechanics numbered tens of thousands. Engineers had solved the problem of automatic stability. Britain's policy was not to star avi-1 ators, though many had brought down five, six or seven opponents. In some' cases two or three British machines accepted battle with twenty Fokkers, and sometimes, after bringing down the Germans, the British descended and fought their opponents on the ground. Aeroplanes had been known to continue to fly after they had been riddled with, 300 bullets. During the Somme .push aviators flew from 4 to 8 'hours. British aviators had already flown a million miles over the enemy's lines. Youthful pilots were best; over forty they were generally useless, and in many instances were shattered and lost their nerves. Not everyone had the moral fortitude to stand deadly conflicts in the air. The British were now thorough expert night fliers, and their aeroplanes were equipped with most effective guns, hence the fate el' the recent Zeppelins. PAYING OFF WAR LOAN. London, Sept. 10. The British 530 million 3'/ 2 per cent, war loan has been reduced by purchases, conversion and cancellations to sixtytwo millions. STIRRING EPISCOPAL ADDRESS. London, Sept. 10. The Bishop of London opened a national mission of repentance at a great open-air meeting. In a stirring address •he said the mission should be preached in a spirit of fortitude. The nation must see this thing through to the very end. It was the mailed hand against the mailed fist. He defended the young clergy against the charge of cowardice. There were thirteen hundred under fire in the army and three hundred in the navy. Sixteen in the army and sixteen in the navy had given their lives, and many others had been wounded. ENEMY BUSINESSES WOUND-UP London, Sept. 10. Since January 312 enemy businesses in the United Kingdom have been wound up and the English interests purchased. Some were very large concerns, one property fetching half a million. After a settlement with British creditors the lesidue will be retained by the trustees until after the war. .VICTORIA CROSSES FOR AUS \ SRALIAXS. London, Sept. lfl. The following Australians have; been awarded Victoria Crosses:— Second-Lieut. Blackburn, for leading a drive which captured 370 yards of trench. Private Thomas Cooke, for taking the guns to a dangerous part of the line and sticking to his post under the heaviest lire. When assistance was sent, it was found that lie was lead, beside the gun. Cooke's wife is now residing with Mrs. Richardson, Sugar Loaf, Brookland, Wellington. Private William Jackson, after a raid, ,'( 'ice returned to assist wounded cor.ipim'ons. The second time his arm was blown off, and, after it had been dressed, lie returned a third time. Private John Leak, for distinguished bravery in bombing and capturing trenches. Private Martin O'Meara, tor repeatedly going out under the heaviest fire to rescue the wounded. He carried ammunition through a heavy barrage, and throughout showed litter contempt of danger. The fifteen >ther Victoria Crosses include Private McFudgean, of the Irish Rides, who flung himself on two bombs from which the" safety pins had fallen, and \vas blown to pieces, but saved many ol his comrades. Private Miller, Lancaster Regiment, delivrcd an important message, despite terrible wounds, and fell deadat bis officer's feet. TRADE UNION CONGRESS CLOSED. London, September 10. The Trades Union Congress lias closed. Thirty resolutions were carried, practically without discussion, including the extension and development of kindred ties between the Motherland and the dominions. The trade unions are inviting the latter to participate at the next congress^