MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

HUN MURDERERS. GERMAN AIRCRAFT RAID. WOMEN AND CHILDREN CHIEF VICTIMS SERIOUS DAMAGE CAUSED, 70 KILLED; 174 INJURED. THREE MACHINES DOWNED. Received May. 27, 5.6 p.m. London, May 26. It is officially stated that a large squadron of enemy aircraft, about sixteen, attacked the south-east coast of England between 5.15 and 8.30 yesterday evening. Bombs fell in the streets, day evening. Bombs were dropped on a ■ number of places, but nearly all the damage occurred in one town, where the bombs fell in the streets, causing considerable casualties to civilians, shops and houses being seriously damaged. Seventy-six persons were killed, whereof twenty-seven were women and twen-ty-three children. There were 174 injured, whereof forty-three were women and nineteen children. Our aeroplanes pursued the naval aeroplanes from Dunkirk, and engaged the returning raiders. The Admiralty reports that three enemy aeroplanes were brought down. IMPERIAL WAR CABINET. DETAILS OF DISCUSSIONS. | London, May 25. | The Blue Book dealing with the Imperial Conference minutes. shows that Mr. Long, in his opening address, said that he was satisfied that Germany was malcin« the most complete preparations for competition after the war. In 'battle we had been found unprepared, but he hoped we should not again be caught unprepared in the peaceful conflict which would come after the war in which we ought to do something more than hold our own. Therefore he 'believed the conference must, be helpful. General Sinuts thought matters of war' should be settled by this conference.

Sir Joseph Ward disagreed and thought it should' 'discuss matters that would affect the Empire after the war. If we began twelve months after the warjWe should begin twelve months too late.'He hoped to see proposals tp circumvent our enemies' insidious attacks concerning vital trade interests. There should be a discussion concerning the value of the Pacific to the Empire, also subventions to British shipping should be discussed. They should deal with the naturalisation of aliens after the war and make their action uniform.

There were lengthy discussions on the care of soldiers' graves, the constitution of the Empire, and double income tax. Mr. Massey took exception to .the draft charter for the care of graves not specially mentioning GallipoTi.

Sir Robert Borden thought the charter should make reference to all the theatres of war.

Mr. Massey contended that other places wero not in the same position, because Gallipoli was an enemy country. Other members pointed out that Palestine, Salonika, and Mesopotamia were in tlip same category as Gallipoli. The conference ultimately adopted the resolution cabled, also that tie maintenance of the graves should T)e made a national charge, Sir Robert Borden, speaking on the resolution dealing with the constitution of the Empire, said that he looked forward to development along the line of the increasingly equal status of the Dominions and the Mother Country. He believed the Dominions fully realised the ideal of an Imperial Commonwealth of united nations with the Crown as a tie Under present conditions it was unwise for the conference to attempt to enter into the subject. He hoped the delegations to the next conference would be thoroughly representative of all parties. Mr. Massey, in seconding the motion, agreed with Sir R. "Borden's views. General Smuts considered the circumstances of the Empire entirely precluded a federal solution. The attempt to run different races, languages, economic conditions and even common concerns would absolutely court disaster. Sir Joseph Ward was strongly opposed to any attempt to hand over the control of individual defence foices to any Empire Parliament, but reiterated his previous view on the necessity for such Parliament. Meanwhile there ought to be overseas representatives in the Bri-1 tish Cabinet. I During the discussion on double income tax the Treasury officials stated that it was absolutely impossible to inquire into the subject until after the war, owing to the depleted stiff. | SCENE AT THE SAVOY. j GERMAN PLATES SMASHED. j London, May ?5. Whilst speaking at the luncheon to Sir E. Carson at the Savoy Restaurant Lord Beresford held up a plate displaying the manufacturer's name, "Bauschen, made in Weiden," exclaiming disgustedly "Here's a pretty state of affairs; we are actually dining off German plates." The majority of the guests smashed the plates on the floor. Lord Beresford added: "I could not have enjoyed the luncheon if I had known they were German plates. /The Empire Asociation must seo thmdoes not occur again." GIFT OF HUNDREDTH AEROPLANE, BY OVERSEAS}' CLUB. London, May 25. Mr. Walter Long, at the annual meeting of the Overseas Club, handed a cheque to the Irving Corps for the purchase of the hundredth aeroplane of the overseas Imperial aircraft flotilla subscribed In Britishers, pverewka,