MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

HOME DEFENCE AND MUNITIONS. ' AN APPEAL FOR MEN. IMPERIAL TRADE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED. United Service. Received May 13, 5.5 p.m. London, May 1"2. The Daily Mail states that the War Office will presently appeal to every fit singlo and married man between the ages of 41 and SO to enlist under the new voluntary scheme, which is not intended to send men to the front, but they will be used behind the lines for auxiliary services such as home defence and munitions in France and England The Mail understands that Sir Eric Geddes, Inspector-General of Transportation, has been appointed Controller of the .Navy, which office has been revived under the Admiralty. The Manchester Guardian saya the Board pf Trade is appointing twelve additional Imperial Trade Commissioners to co-operate with the Dominion governments in the promotion of interImperial trade.

RATIONS FOR HORSES. TWO NEW VOLUNTARY GROUPS. SECRET SESSION OF PARLIAMENT. MEMBERS VOICE GRIEVANCES. Received May. 13, 5.15 p.m. ,r "~ London, May 12. The Press Bureau states that Lord Devonport (Food Controller) has imposed rations of cereal foodstuffs for horses, except aB to horses used for the Army Council, the Admiralty, or agricultural purposes, also stallions in the stud, thoroughbreds, brood: mares and others in foal or with foal at foot. The War Office announces the opening, within a week or two, of new groups for "voluntary attestation. One is for men, married or single, not over 45 years of age, the other being for married or single men between 45 and 60. It is officially announced that the Hifuse of Commons held' a secret session t<> consider the report on the credit of 800 millions,, which was agreed to in committee on Thursday. Mr. A. F. Whyte, urged a (better organisation and co-ordination of high naval commands in the Mediterranean. Commander Bellairs pressed for a more vigorous naval offensive, t. Sir G. Younger urged that the personnel iii command should givo a more rapid approval of proomtions and a quicker response to important applications to the Admiralty. Sir 'II. J. Dalziel demanded a further appeal to the country to economise food. He also put a number of questions relating to the war.

Sir E. Carson welcomed instructive criticism, but deprecated attacks outside the House, sometimes arising from interested motives, upon officers of the imvy. , ; ' TACKLING SUBMARINES. ; Sir E. Carson related some feats of gallantry and resource by'our which accounted for German submarines. He wished he could publish every one of them, but explained) why, in the higher interests of the war, it was desirable to refrain. He urged: the exercise of a due sense of perspective in criticism of trifling incidents, considering the vast area over which tile operations of the Bavy were carried out. He described' the Admiralty's submarine astivity, the cooperation of the naval air service, and the coast patrols, also the attention given to mercantile shipbuilding. He detailed the tonnage losses of the Allies Rnd neutrals for the last three months, but declined to alter the form of publication of the weekly losses, to which form the Allies had agreed. He also emphasised the great advantages arising from America's adhesion to the Allied cause.

Mr. Churchill referred "vitli satisfaction to the chief features of the debate. Although ihe was not wholly convinced by Mr. Lloyd George's sipeech, he thought the demand for a secret sitting was well justrfi.ee Mr. Lloyd George gave statistics as to. food reserves, and, whilst expressing a! favorable view of the situation, urged the importance of the most extensive cultivation of land.

The report and the committee's resolution were unanimously agreed t».

LABOR DELEGATES TO L. JTROGRAD. Received May 13, 5.5 p.m. I London,, May 12. The Independent Laborites (have select: ed -Messrs Ramsay Mac ; DonaM audi F. W. Jowett as delegates to visit "Petrograd. ■BRITISH TRADE RETURNS. , [Received May 18, 5.5 p.m. London, May 12. 'Exports have decreased by and imports have increased 'by £8,869,« 014j, as compared with April of last year. AN AUSTRALIAN y.C. HERO. London, May 1.1. The Press Bureau says the Victoria, Cross has been awarded to Captain P. H. Cherfy, of the Australians. Hie, was commanding a company detailed to storm and clear a village and all the officers of the company were wounded, but Captain Cherry carried on with determination in face of fierce opposition and cleared the enemy village. He frequently reported progress when he was held up by the enemy, strongly organised witlu machine-guns and bombs. He captured the position, setting a wenderful example to the men. He next took, charge and ■beat off a resolute and very heavy'coun-ter-attack. When wounded in the early morning he refused to leave his post, but encouraged his men until this very I gallant officer was killed in the evening by a shell. Seven New Zealanders have been awarded the military medal.

GOVERNMENT WARNS STRIKERS. IXWAL MEN SUMMONBD TO RESUME. HEAVY PENALTIES PROVIDED. A. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received' May 13, 5.15 p.m. London, May 12. The Government has exhibited in the centres affected ,by strikes the followingnotice: "A 1 serious stoppage of work by the engineers engaged in the vital work of munitions occurred at a moment when, in view of the present offensive on all fronts, .there was greater need for all munitions than at any previous time. The strike was;, allegedly, 'by way, of protest, partly against the abolition of trade cards and- partly against-' the Munitions Amendment Bill."

The notice continues: "Despite full explanations as to the effect of these measures, and despito it 'being completely unauthorised and condemned by fifty trade unions, the engineering and l shipbuilding trades strike was, therefore, clearly as much a protest against the executive authority of the trade unions as against Government action. This is fully confirmed by telegrams from the strike leaders in the Manchester area, Btating that the joint engineering shop stewards' committee repudiates any interference by the official executive of the workers in the present dispute. "The Government cannot permit the strike to continue, and l therefore summons all loyal citizens to resume work Immediately." It is pointed out that all persons inciting any stoppage of munition work are guilty under the Defence of the Realm Act, the penalty being penal servitude for life, or such lesser | punishment as may he awarded.

, THE EMPIRE'S FOUNDATION. London, May 11. Mr. Lloyd George, in an Enlpire Day message to Overseas Clubs, says tliat (recent meetings of the Imperial War Conference and War Cabinet have brought home to every thinking citizen that the unique character of our Empire is founded not only on freedom of the individual but on the autonomy of its parts. It is yet able to unite into one commonwealth of peoples and natives varying immensely in race, language, religion and color. No doubt with a new spirit and remodelled institutions the Empire will take the leading place in ensuring that liberty and justice are world-wide after victory over a militarist autocracy is finally won. REMARKS BY GENERAL SMUTS. London, May 11. General Smuts, in receiving the freedom of Manchester, said lie ha"d never been bo hopeful of Africa solving the .race problem and " -Mlding up a great white community. He was sure the Imperial Conference would become a landmark in the Empire's history. He at first doubted the wisdom of summoning a conference during war time, but from what lie had seen he had been convinced that it would produca the greatest results. The delegates' experiences at the conference would assist them to appreciate British difficulties and assist to build up the spirit of unity and co-operation in order to surmount the troubles ahead. The same spirit would result in the strongest commonwealth amongst the nations of the world.