MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

. PROVIDING MUNITIONS. .MINISTER'S REVIEW. MARVELLOUS ACHIEVEMENTS. ALLIES POOL MUNITION ORDERS. £43,000,000 SAVED. Reuter Service. Received -June 23, 0.30 p.m. London. June 2S. In the House of Commons Dr. C. Addison (Minister for Munitions),'rev! .- ing tho work of the Ministry of Munitions, said that Britain's capacity for the production of explosives in March, 1917, was tuventy-eig'ht times its capacity in March, 1915. ' In regard to guns and ammunition Britain had reached such a state of production as to ibe aJble to divert some of the factories for the purpose of assisting other branches. There were great reserves of field gun ammunition provided, and the arrangements wore working so smoothly that, despite the enormous expenditure at the front, the stock of Ailed shells had only decreased by nine per cent, during the first mine weeks of the oflensive. The output of machine-guns and rifles was fully equal to the demand. Dealing with the supply of railway material to the army, he said that railway lines were pulled up in Britain and India. Australia and Canada also contributed. Canada had aranged to pull «p and ship 800 miles of rails. Over 2000 miles of track had already been supplied. Improved tanks were coming forward freely, and he hinted at further developments thereanent. An inter-Allied bureau had been established in London in order to pool the Allies' munitions requirements in America, so as to avoid competitive buying. Negotiations were proceeding so as to enable the United States to place its resources more readily and effectively at the Allies' disposal. 'Britain's output of steel 'before the was was 7000,000 tons. It was now 10,000.000 tons, and he hoped it would be 12,000,000 by the end of 1918. Tho production of tungsten had enaibled them to supply much to the Allies. Tie stated that there were 30,000 skilled munition volunteers, while 40,000 soldiers released from the colors and 30,000 army reservists were employed in the manufacture of munitions. The reduction in the cost of shell components as compared with last year represented a Having of £43,000,000, The Ministry were taking steps to provide traders with information regarding the almost infinite mineral resources of tha Empire. INDUSTRIAL COMPULSION unnecessary. London, June 28. It is announeed that hitherto 350,000 national service volunteers have enrolled, hence industrial compulsion is not contemplated. , A COMMENDABLE DECISION, London, June 28. Mr. Sonar Law stated in the House of Commons that tiie Government will compensate the dependents of the victims of air raids both past and future. JEFFECT OF WOMEN iPATROIfi. London, June 28. A conference under the auspices of the National Vigilance Association discussed the moral conditon of the streets of London. The Chief Commissioner of Police testified to the creditable behaviour of tihe overseas troops. Conditions were generally better than formerly, thanks to the women patrols. AID KXR SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENT OVERSEAS. London', June 28. It Is understood that the Empire Settlement Committee has recommeiraed Imperial financial assistance being granted towards the settlement of soldiers in particular areas overseas; also the transporting of emigrants. It suggests that a census dl soldiers be taken to ascertain the number who desire to go on the land. The recommendations are based on the assumption that the percentage will 'be high. GERMANS RESCUED FROM ZEPPELIN. London, June 28. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent discloses tho remarkable fact that three of the crew of the zoppelin brought down on June 17 were captured alive. One, beleved to foe the second in command, was uninjured. The others had broken legs. They were rescued from the burning wreckage. A BY-ELECTION. IReuter Service. Received June 20, 10.30 p.m. . London, June 29. ' The Abercwin bye-eleobion resulted: trtrd Stanley 2E2'ly Mr. Hughes 794. CAfIMET CHANGES. A; and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and- Renter. Received June 29, 9.50 p.m. ' London, June 29. The' Tress Bureau reports that the (Hon. W. Hayes 'Fishes, M.P., has been appointed president of the Local Government, Board, and Mr. Stephen Walsh, M,P. for Lancaster, 'Parliamentary Secretary. CHANGING THE ROYAL HOUSE. United Service. Received June 30, 1.30 a.m. London, June 29. The Daily Express states that the King intends to change the name of the Royal House from Saxe-Golburg-Gotha, probably choosing the House ctf Britain.