MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

EVADING MILITARY SERVICE. ABUSE OF TRADES UNION CARDS. ACTION BY GOVERNMENT. Received March 13, 12.30 a.m. London, March 12. The Government lma decided on inimort'ate action to stop the abuse of trade cards which the trades unions distributed to prospective members, thereby exempting tliem from military service. The membership of certain s6cieties is greatly increased by these cards, but the results are most unsatisfactory, having led to quarrels between the unions, and the exemption of a' great number of men who should be in the army. THE WAR COUNCIL. ARRIVAL OF INDIA'S, DELEGATES. Received Maxell 13, 12.50 a.m. London, March 1? India's representatives' on the War Council have arrived. MILITARY .MEDALS FOR NEW'ZEALANOERS'. i Received March 13, 12.30 a.m. London, March I>2. * The award of seven Military Medals to New Zealanders has been gazetted. V.C.' AWARDS. London, March 11. The Victoria Ci;os3 has been awarded to Captain Henry William Murray, Australian Infantry, for moat conspicuous bravery in an attack. He led his company with great skill and courage, and the position was quickly captured. Fighting of the severest nature followed, but three heavy counter-attacks were beaten off. This was due to Captain Murray's wonderful work through the night. The company suffered heavy casualties through concentrated enemy shell-fire, and, on one occasion, gave ground a short way. Captain Murray gailantly'rallied his command and saved the situation by sheer valor, encouraging his men, heading bombing parties, leading bayonet chhrges, and carrying the wounded to places of safety. His magnificent example inspired his men throughout. The Victoria Cross has also been awarded to Sergeant Mott, of the Border Regiment. When his company was held up by machine-gun fire, although severely wounded in the eye, lie made a rush at the gun, and after a fierce struggle, seized the gunner, took him prisoner, and captured the gun, . WHEAT DEAL WITH-CANADA. Ottawa, March 11. The British Government is negotiatthe purchase of the Canadian 19 W wheat crop. The arrangement is expected to be completed on Tuesday. The price will probably be 7s per bushel. HIGH COMMISSIONERS TREATED AS DIPLOMATS. London, March 11. The Lord Chamberlain has arranged for the Dominions' High Commissioners to use the Diplomatic Galleries during the sittings of the House of Lords. NEW ZEALANDERS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. London, March 11. The King and Queen entertained the High Commissioners and the following New Zealand officers at Buckingham Palace:—Majors Barclay and Rose; Captains Ritchie, Rohloff, A. McDonald, Coursey, Carter and Forsyth; Lieutenants Barry, Foster, Hawley, Baker, Owen, Johnston, Ridling, Feldingham, and Vercoe; Chaplains Luxford, Burgiu and O'Neill. HOTELS CLOSED. London, March 11. Several large brewing companies ■ in Monmouthshire, acting on the suggestion of the Licensing Bench, have decided to closo all the public-houses in the county.

POTATO SHORTAGE. London, March 11. The shortage of potatoes caused remarkable scenes in the poorer London districts. There were large queues at the greengrocers', nnd many people were lucky if they secured a couple of pounds. MR. MASSEY ON PREFERENCE. London, March 11. Mr. Massey, in a speech at Liverpool, said that many were auspicious about Imperial preference, but there was hope for the sinner who repented. He looked at the question from an Empire-huitding viewpoint. He could not agive thai preference signified increased cost of living. A proper system of preference would so enroi l ) 1 .;';!' increase of production that prices would not rise. If such a scheme had operated ien years ago there would have been, cheaper pries in Britain to-day. England had allowed the sugar industry to be strangled in favor of'the foreigner.