MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE QUESTION OF REPRISALS. LORD DERBY'S VIEWS. THE MILITARY MUST DECIDE, 1 Renter Service Received June 27, 8.30 p.m. London, .June 27. In the House of Lords, Lord Derby, dealing with the question of reprisals, said lie could authoritatively state that for every bomb dropped behind our lines we dropped a hundred behind the German lines. Our bombing was done wit'h military objects. He thought the whole country should associate itself with the suggestion that we should not imitate German brutality. Lord Derby added that the military authorities must be allowed to use aeroplanes in the way they thought fit in order to bring the war to a successful conclusion. He did not want to see the War waged with kid gloves. We must, he asserted, hit back, but it must be left to the military to decide where and when. The Government had given the military absolutely a free hand with regard to the use of aircraft. Everything possible was being done to secure the defence of the country against aircraft, with the closest possible co-operation of the army and navy. A conference' of military and civil authorities had decided on giving warning that the raids might do more harm than good. Regarding reprisals, the idea of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth in the massacring of women and children was absolutely repulsive to the British nation. THE NORTHERN FLEET. INSPECTED BY THE KING. London, .June 26. The King visited the fleet at a northern base. He arrived amidst one of the most remarkable thunderstorms recorded, and was met on shore by Lieutenant Prince Albert, who accompanied Admiral Beatty. The King inspected in succession the crews of various flagships, and saw a modem battleship action with the officers and men at war stations masked and gloved against the risk of cordite flashes. The visit lasted a week. Members of t'he King's entourage were satisfied that the navy is willing and ready to meet all demands. SEAMEN ALLOW MACDONALD'S DEPARTURE. ' London, June 26. The executive of the Seamen's and Firemen's Union passed a motion recommending that the embargo on Mr. Ramsay McDonald and his companions going to Russia be removed now that the purpose has been achieved of drawing attention to the sufferings of British seamen in the war. GAMBLING OS END OF WAR. London, June 26. Lloyd's underwrites for 100 guineas if the war in progress ends in 1(117, and is demanding SO guineas, and proportionately downward to 30 guineas, ior it to end in 1918. SYSTEMATISE COST OF FOODSTUFFS. A. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received June 27, 5.5 p.m. London, June 20. The Press Bureau states that Lord Rhondda has decided upon a more complete and strict control of foodstuffs, enforcing maximum prices Rnd limiting the profits on every stage of production and distribution. A Costings Department has been established in connection with the Food Ministry to ascertain the cost of production and handling. The Ministry will then fix the prices, based on the actual cost in addition to the normal prewar profit. OONtSCIENTIOI'P OBJECTORS RETAIN FRANCHISE. Received June 27, 8.30 p.m. London, June 27. The House of Commons, bV 141 to 72, refused to disfranchise conscientious objeotors. ALLIES WAR AIMS CONFERENCE, London, June 28. A conference of the Allies will shortly discuss war aims. It is understood that Russia has pressed for a conference. VOTES FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. London, June 26. 1 In the House of Commons a remarßble debate took place on the proposal to give a vote to soldiers and sailors of 19 years who have fought abroad. Tlie Government, was. at first unsympathetic, Sir George Cave pointing out that the franchise was not a reward for public service. Service 1 members strongly pressed the amendment, whilst other members urged that munition workers were Equally entitled. They pointed out that the amendment would give a. vote to soldiers sorting letters at Boulogne Quay •while denying it to those serving the guns "at home. 1 Sir John Simon opposed anw permanent distinction between military and civilian votes. The Government finally promised to consider the matter, and make a serious effort to secure a vote for all soldiers and sailors of ID who have the other necessary qualifications. A SCAREMONGER'S TALE. New York, June 26. The New York Times' special correspondent in London says that England is nearer a Government crisis than at any time since Mr. Asquith left office owing to anger at the air raids and resentment at Lord Northcliffe's mission. Many of Lord Northcliffc's friends fear he has impaired his influence by accepting office.