MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

A SPECIAL CREDIT VOTE. TO MEET UNFORESEEN EXPENDITURE. Received March 14, 5.50 p.m. 1 London, March 13. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law (Chancellor of the Exchequer) unexpectedly announced a new vote of credit cn Thursday next to meet- increased. and unforeseen expenditure. CREDIT OF~FIFTY MILLIONS. Received March 14, II p.m. Reuter Service. London, March 14. It is understood that a supplementary credit will be announced by Mr. Bonar Law of £50,000,000. THE AIR SERVICE. STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT. London, March 13. In the House of Commons, Mr MacPherson said the average British weekly air casualties for six weeks were 7.6 killed, 8.6 wounded, and 4.2 raising. The War Office was satisfied with the best types of machines at present employed, but certain machines were not of the best standard. These it was re- : placing rapidly. The air situation on the West front was at present undecided. All the belligerents had utilised the winter to increase and improve their service and they must expect severe contests before they obtained a superiority sufficient to drive the enemy again upon the defensive. The German air service was able to perform work comparable with ours. The situation resembled that of a year ago, when the Germans, after resting and reinforcing their air service, severely contested the supremacy until our superiority was re-established. The Qermans last year concentrated on Verdan now on the British front. This was probably connected with the German retirement. There had never been an absolute air mastery on the West front. We were continually sending reinforcements of machinery and material to the front, and had reason to hope again to estab:--,ii superiority, but only after severe fighting. IRISH AFFAIRS. Received March 14, 5.45 p.m. London, March 13. xJiscussion on the Irish proposal to appoint a Minister entitled DirectorGeneral of National Service in Ireland was closured after several Nationalists had spoken. An Order-in-Council formally postpones the operation of the Home Rule Act for another half-year.