MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

' < r > ' COASTAL TOWNS BOMBARDED! * DESTROYERS IN ACTION. i London, February j Tn the House of Commons Sir Edward Carson said tliat Gorman destroy- ] crs liad bombarded Broadstairs and Margate early this morning. Two per. sons liad beei\ killed. There bad also been a destroyer engagement-,' in wliieli there were no Britisii casualties. Any enemy, losses were not ascertainable. DETAILS OF RAID. LITTLE DAMAGE DONE. London, February '2O. The Press P-nrcau reports that enemy destroy ''s approached the Kenti~h roast at 12.i."> last night and fired shells on the unfortified towns of Broadstairs ami Margate. Tiie firm;; lasted ton minutes. The material damage was slight. Two houses one unoccupied, were attacked, and ten others damaged. A woman and child were killed, and two children seriously injured. Received Feb. 27, 5.1"> p.m. London, February 20. Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir Edward Carson added thsCt- a destroyer patrol encountered various enemy destroyers between 11 p.m. and midnight ami was engaged for some time under heavy gun and torpedo lire, without receiving any damage. The effect upon the enemy was not ascertainable, owing to the growing darkness. Another "force of destroyers bombarded Margate and Broadstairs. Our forces in the vicinity, as soon as the firing was heard, closed upon the enemy, who, however. escaped before our forces arrived.

the war loan. EXCEEDS ALL EXPECTATIONS. OVER A THOUSAND MILLION. A HUNDRED MILLION NEW MONEY. Received Feb. 27, 5.15 p.m. London, February 2G. Mr. Bonar Law (Chancellor of the Exchequer, said that since his last statement relative to the war loan over 200,000 applications had been received. The result was above what, even a week ago, would not have been considered possible. In the total £100,312,950 of new money was included. Applications from the Bank of England amounted to .£810,58(1,000; converted Treasury bills, £130,711,950; post office, £30,. 715,000; war savings 'certificates, £19,300;000. Regarding the conversions of Treasury bills, Mr. Bonar Law pointed out that the average period of them was four months, and he thought it right to consider the State's freedom from them as equivalent to new money. In addition to the thousand million, the Treasury had received £ 190,000 from 87 individuals free of interest; also £04,000 from 44 persons as gifts. The number of subscribers to the 1015 loan was 1,100,000, equally divided between the post office and banks. There were eight million applications for this loan, including 1,039,000 through the post office, 5,G00,0H0 certificates being sold, representing 2,800,000 subscribers. Though Germany's population was 50 per cent, greater than Britain's, the subscribers to the last German loan were only 3,810,000. ' The great bulk of the earlier British loans had been converted, also 233 million of Exchequer bonds. The floating debt was now £094,000,000, as comparer with £1,652,000,000 when the loan was floated. • Gifts' of jewels by ladies and others were returned. He paid a tribute to the patriotism which prompted such offers. THE IRISH REBELS. ■WHY THERE IS NO TRIAL. A CONCLUSIVE ANSWER. London, February 26. In the House of Commons, in reply to Mr. Dillon, Mr. Duke, Chief Secretary for Ireland, stated that 28 had been arrested in Ireland under the Defence of the Realm Act on suspicion of having acted prejudicially to the public safety. He did not propose to try them but had prohibited their residence in Ireland. Mr. Dillon gave notice of motion on the matter. Received Feb. 27, 8.55 p.m. London, February 26. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law, answering Mr. Simons' question as to whether -i'lc trial of the deportees was really barred by special serious conditions, said that if tho men were brought to trial the Government would have to mention facts which it was undesirable to mention. The deportees were not imprisoned, but were merely not allowed to reside in Ireland. Mr. Dillon had pointed out the serious state of Ireland, therefore it was the duty of the Government to prevent another rising. THE MUNITIONS EXPLOSION. 'DEATHS NUMBER 74. Received Feb. 27, 8 p.m. London, February 26. In view of the persistent rumors that the official death-roll of the London munitions explosion was inaccurate, the coroner reiterated that the actual number of deaths was 74, which exactly corresponded with the Government's figures as previously announced. The Coroner pointed out the remarkable lowness of Ihe mortality in view of the wrecking of 800 homes and a population of over 2000. DARDANELLES COMMISSION PUBLICATION OF EVIDENCE. Times Service. London, February 28. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law stated that the evidence giveo before the Dardanelles Commission could not be published at present. DEBATE NOT DECIDJD. Received Feb. 27, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 26. , In reply to a question, Mr. Bonar Law • stated that he was unable to say whe- ; ther a day be g;";~. f^r : ,tho debate

MR. MASSEY AT SALISBURY PLAIN, Received Feb. 27, 8.5 p.m. London, February '26. Mr. Jlassey opened the Y.AI.C.A. l'ecreation hall for New Zcalanders encamped at Salisbury I'lain. He witnessed a parade and field training and visited the hospital. EXCHANGE OF INTERNED CIVILIAN'S URGED. Received Feb. 27, 8.3 p.m. London, February 20. A largo meeting in London unanimously to urge' on the Government ni\ immediate exchange of interned civilians. Lord Heresford said that although it involve! I lie release of ili.dW) Germans iur 4C0.il Hrilish it would be a good riddance of bad rubbish. -Many oi those interned at Ruhleben have become insane, and many were physical wrecks from consumption and other diseases. t BREAD REGULATIONS. A. & N.Z. Cable Asoeiation and I'euter. Received Feb. 27, G p.m. London, February 20. The Press Bureau states that Devonport (Food Controller) liils notified that bread must be sold in loaves weighing a pound or au oven number of pounds, and must be twelve liours old. It must not be exchanged for old previously sold, nor contain currants, sultanas, mill; or sugar. Inspectors have been authorised to weigh bread on the premises or in course of delivery. Rolls must weigli two ounces.

iPREFE'REXCE OPPOSED. London, February 20. Liberal Free-traders are organising opposition to Imperial Preference.