MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

| DISTRIBUTION OF CHEESE. I

' THE AIR RAID. INQUEST ON VICTIMS, London, June 15. The coroner, in opening the inquests on the air raid victims, said it pleased the All Highest in Germany to make England suffer in this way. It was really murder, but it was no/use bringing in a verdict of murder. The Germans might be assured the method would not hasten the peace which the Germans desired. The English were not cowards, and were not afraid to die for their country.

THE BELGIAN RELIEF FUND.

NEW ZEALAND'S CONTRIBUTIONS SINGLED OUT. Renter Service. Received June 18, 6.5 p.m. London, June 10. Mr. Balfour, at a meeting of the Belgian Relief Fund Committee at the Mansion House, said the committee had collected '24 millions. He singled out New Zealand's extraordinary contributions, equalling 10s per head of the whole of her population.

A NEW SCHEME. Received June 17, 5.5 p.m. London, June,l6. With the assistanco of a special committee of the provision trade, Mr. S. Robinson has arranged a system under which the Board of Trade food controller will approve the distribution of New Zealand, Australian, Canadian, and United States cheese, commencing immediately. The retailers are to be well supplied at a .price enabling a fair profit at the fixed retail price of Is 4d, the wholesale men and importers receiving only a commission. Special show cards have been provided announcing the country of origin. Already the market prices have declined considerably, English cheddar -being quoted at 16s below the maximum of 1409. THE DAMAGiE AT ASHTON, The cause of the fire at Ashton-under-Lyne is unknown. It is believed to have heen due to the fusing of electric wires. Seventy employees were on the premises. The manager ran through the building to warn tho employees and was himself killed. Meanwhile the firemen endeavored to extinguish the outbreak, but their efforts were vain. There Was a complete stoppage yesterday at the mills within two miles of the explosion. Owing to the damage it is expected that Dukinfteld will be without gas for the next three months. THE CASUALTIES. A. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received June 17, 5.5 p.m. , London, June 16. The Press Bureau states that the casualty list is 41 dead and 130 injured. A fire caused the explosion. The majority of the workpeople escaped. ECONOMISING ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES. London, June 15. The Daily News states that the Board of Trade is pushing forward a scheme for the co-ordination of electrical supplies, in order to economise production and distribution. It is proposed to divide tho country into seven areas electrically Belf-dependent, containing huge generating stations, LENIENCY TO IRISH REBELS. London, June 15. The Irish rebels are to be released. Mr. Bonar law, in the House of Commons, announced a general amnesty to the Irish rebels. WAR CAPTURES. London, June 15. In' the House of Commons Mr. MacPherson st&tcd that since July, 1916, we had captured 434 guns on the west front and 600 square miles of territory had been regained; and since the beginning of the war to the end of May 76,007 prisoners had been taken. Since July, 1, 1910, we had captured 10,900 prisoners and 134 guns in Mesopotamia and 8729 prisoners and 18 guns in Egypt. SERGEANT BROWN'S V.C. London, June 15. Included among five new Victoria Crosses is Sergeant Ronald Brown, New Zealand Infantry, for most conspicuous bravery and determination in an attack when tho company to which he belonged suffered very heavy casualties "in officers arid men from machine-gun fire. At great personal risk Brown advanced with a comrade and succeeded in reaching a point within thirty yards of the enemy gunsv Ho (tilled, four of the gun crew and captured the gun. Subsequently when the company was again held up by machine-gun. fire, Brown and a comrade iwith great gallantry rushed tho gun and killed the crew. After this second position had .been won 'tho company came under very heavy shell' fire, and the utter contempt of danger and coolness of Brown did much to keep up the spirits of the men. In the subsequent attack Brown again showed the most conspicuous ga'alntry, attacked single-handed a machine-gun which was holding up the attack, and killed the gun crew. This very gallant soldier was killed later while sniping the retreating enemy, BILLING DEFIES THE SPEAKER. London, June 15. There was a disorderly scene when the question of air reprisals was mentioned. Mr. Billing asked Mr. Bonar Law to move the adjournment to discuss the question. Mr. Bonar (Law refused. Mr. Billing began to criticise the weakness and apathy of the Government's air policy and defied the Speaker when called to order. Mr. Billing demanded an answer to his question amidst angry cries of "sit down." The House went into committee. Mr. Billing persisted in defying the chairman ' and was subsequently escorted outude. I

A ZEPPELIN RAID.

BOMBS CAUSE A FIRE. ONE AIRSHIP DESTROYED. A. and K.Z, Cable Assoc. and Keuter. Received June 18, 1.30 a.m. London, June 17. British pfflcial: In the early morning some enemy airships approached the East and South-East coast. Two cam? a short distance inland, one crossing kast Anglia, the other crossing over Kent, Tlie latter dropped bombs andsome damage was done. A fire broke out in a coastal town. One zeppelin was brought down in flames. BRITISH MANUFACTURERS. London, June 16., British manufacturers are forming a federation to foster the scientific distribution of British manufactures in overseas markets. The federation is entirely free from Government control, but the Board of Trade freely encourages the movement. ■ " ,