MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

PROMOTIONS AND HONORS. NIEW ZEALANDERS INCLUDED. London, December 31. The Gazette notifies promotions for distinguished service in the field. General Sir Douglas Haig lias been created a. Field-Marshal; Lient.-Cenera! Rawlinson a general, and Major-Gcnerals K. llorn.< Milne, the Earl of Cavan, Sir L. Kiggell and Sir E. Gough become Lieut.Generals, Tbo New Year awards, besides those for many Australian*, include the following New Zealanders: Companion of the Bath—Sit. Andrew Russell. Companion of St. Michael and St. George Brigadier-Gen. Edward Chaytor. Distinguished Service Orders—Lieut.Colonels William Cunningham, John Findlay, Charles Mackesy, William Meldrum, Charles Mervill. Donald Murray, Alexander Stewart, Majors F. Lampc'n, C. Mel Jill, Alexander Mackenzie, .lames f'ow, Conrad Saxby, Robert Smvthe, .lohn Studholme,'Captain Victor Rogers. Military Crosses have been awarded to the following New Zealanders:— Captain Donald Dobson, Alfred Norwood Lindsay Inglis, Leonard Jardine, Charles Leeming, Robert Maoquai'rio, John Morton, Reginald Miles, Robert Morpeth, Harry Richardson, George Samlbain. ■lames Stewart, Alan Si.itt, William Wray, Lieuts. Anderson, Alexandei Falconer, Turn Hiroti, Hugh McKinnon, William Tracey, Stanley Widdowson, Second. - Lieuts. Leonard Carmichael, Stanley Guerhe. Royal Red Crosses first class—Matron F. Price: second class, Sisters A. Buckley, F. Speedy, Nurses K. Davies. E. Hedges. THE STATE AND THE LIQUOR TRADE. NATIONALISATION NOT CONTEMPLATED. London, January 1. TI • ';•. ruing Post states that Cabinet has n.,t yet considered any scheme for the purchase of the liquor trade. It doubts if the attempt will be made. It considers nothing is weaker for the new Government as much as embarking upon such a controversial subject. Received Jan. 2, 8.2.1 p.m. i '' London, Jan. 1. The Central News assei-ts positively that the Government does not contemplate liquor trade nationalisation during the war, owing to tllie trade's complicated organisation, the cost, and the probable hostility to the proposal by the House of Commons as being controversial. T4 '.• Central News adds that the Treasiii. ' has been minutely inquiring into the trade's financial basis, but the inquiry was more likely to bo connected with taxation proposals. Meanwhile there is every probability of a further limitation of drinking facilities and the utilisation of foodstufls used for brewing.

NEW YEAR IN ENGLAND. EXCESSIVE DIUXKING. London, .Jamwrj 1. There were no Now Year wntcli-niprht services, but there were special prayer.-; for victory at t-lie Sunday services. There was no bell ringing at St. Paul's. The restaurants closed at 11 o'clock, and no New Year festivities were held. There were extraordinary scenes in Glasgow. Throughout the week long queues, mainly of women, were waiting outside licensed shops in order to purchase whisky, which was unsaleable between Friday and Tuesday. Though the public-houses were closed, it is feared the traditonal revelry associated with Hogmanay ■will continue in private The New Year holiday for munition workers, shipyards and engineering shops lasts from noon on Saturday till Thursday morning instead of ten days as at peace tii'4». Shipbuilding and engineering masters are not satisfied that the maximum of efficiency lias been reached. They do not; complain that the men are drunken, but owing to the great increase in their earnings there lias been an extension of the habit of alcoholic refreshment. Men who formerly drank at the week ends now drink eveny night, and a certain slaeknes has crept in. Some jobs take 50 per cent, extra time. The liquoi restrictions have made little difference, and the lost time is still 20 per cent. The masters believe that Clyde workmen would accept prohibition without a great outcry.

IRISH RAILWAYS UNDER STATE ' CONTROL. London, Janaury 1. The Government has taken over .control of the Irish 'railways from to-day. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RECOMMENDATIONS. London, January 1. A special committee of the Londor. Chamber of Commerce recommends restriction of enemy traders within the Empire; State aid for improving land and water transport, and penalising enemy shipping; State co-operation to promising trade banks to assist business abroad; wages sufficient to secure for the worker a reasonable standard of living; profit-sharing co-partnerships; technical education; preference bj Government departments and local authorities for goods produced within the Empire; non-return of any enemy ships in the possession of the ysllics; replacement by the enemy of all ships sunk. RECRUITING OPERATIONS Received Jan. 2, 8.15 p.m. London, Jan. 1. Recruiting offices are busy enrolling thousand sof recruits whose exemptions expired at the new year. The recruits in-, elude a large number of men combed out of the munition works. The others are mostly over thirty years of age.