MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

A CHEERFUL OUTLOOK. IMPORTANT SPEECH BY PREMIER. \ FOOD AXD SHIPPING POSITION IMPROVED. Received Aug. 17, 9.30 p.m. London, Aug. 10. ■Mr. Lloyd George, in the House of Common;, delivered an important speech , bearing on ecvetal aspects of the war. ; He declared that tiii- food position had considerably improved. In August hut j there -was a -tool; of 0,500 WW uuartcrs ! of wheat in the country, whereas there/! was now a stock of 8,500,000 quarters. ; Stocks of oats and barley were also j .ligher. There had also been a consider- ; aide mi'. i:-,;; u ( Siren! CGiiMiiuptiflii. while; the acreage under cultivation lied in- j crea _d by 1,000,000 acres. Ii the liar- , Vest was a ; ; good as it promised to bo, then the condition of the country's food supplies, taking everything into aeeouut. was very satisfactory. He still urged the need for economy, because Hie more we economised the less we should need from Canada and the United States, from \.ii-.-i>i:e ir.nite an! Italy uuj drew their supplies. The reserves of sugar had been increased. The Germans claimed that wt were losing 900,000 tons of shipping monthly, after allowing for new construction. In April we lost 505,000 tons gross, but the pv: k i..*«-„ .u July hud jeen 3:40.000. August looked like being better, and if l;.e piesent improvement eontinued, the nett loin for July and August would | be at the rate of 175,000 tons per month. ! | These iigures showed that Uie Admiralty j was meeting with considera.ble .success. The shipping controller had so organised | shipping that although we had a diminished tonnage we were carrying more tons of freight. Shipbuilding was being speeded up,, ; and many ships were on order abroad. ; OsO.ooo tonj had been .built in Britain j ; during 1915. 53P.000 tons during lsiiii. , and 480,i.ijo' tons during the first =,-v ] months of lt'l7; 1,420 000 tons would be acquired, whereof 1,100,000 tons would , be built in Britain, making a total .for the year of 1.000,000 tons, betides the buy.- naval construction. He believed 1 •'• " ■ . ::' losses would decrease. It was certain that the construction would increase. We still needed more I shipping, but if the United States would extend itself to its full capacity, as it was <loubtle?s preparing to do. we would have sufficient tonnage not only for the ■| ■ • bin. if necessary, for 1910. : Dealing with the military situation, he declared that he would not exchange our position for tho enemy's. Our difficulties would diminish and cur poivera |ii:.rease. whilst the enemy's difficulties would increase and his powers diminish. He proceeded to read a telegram from the front Tegardirig the latest offensive, which, lie said, was not intended to be a b%. oparatiou. Tho telegram stated that severe fighting continued, and the result was uot yet determined. The Canadian infantry had won conspicuous success and bad captured l.angemarck, i taking 1200 prisoners and capturing rive ! guns. j Iu concluding, he said: ''This Is the | supreme hour for our patience, courage, ; endurance, hope and unity. Let us go through this hour with the old temper lof our race that will enable- u? to destroy the great military despotism, so 'that next year wo and the world will begin to reap the fruits of our valor." PROTECTION OF HOSPITAL SHIPS. THE CHANNEL TUNNEL. ileeeived Aug. 1" 5.5 p.m. London, Aug. 16. In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil confirmed the English, French, and Spanish arrangement as to hospital ships i aud hoped it would end enemy attacks I thereon, but Germany's definite assurance had not yet been received. Mr. Boiiar Law seated that Cabinet had moat carefully considered the mnt- ■ *er of the Channel tunnel, in consultation with its naval and military advisers, and was still of opinion that it was i unpractical to proceed therewith in war time. AN ELECTION HINTED AT. Australian Cable Association. Received Aug. 17, 5.5 p.m. London. Aug. 10. >fr. Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, hinted at the possibility of an election before the Representation Hill was passed. PONFERENCE AS TO BRITISH PRISONERS IN TURKEY. Australian Cable Association. Received Aug. 17, 5.5 p.m. London, Aug. HI. Lord Derby informed a deputation of members of Parliament that Turkey 1. prepared to participate in a conference, to be held in Switzerland, concerning the treatment of British prisoners. MINERS AND PASSPORTS. • London, Aug. 16. Tho South Wales Miners' Federation supported the Labor Executive and endorsed the application for passports. SOLDIERS' VOTE. London, Aug. 16. In the debate in tho House of Commons on the Franchise Bill, Mr. Cave .said it was impossible to conduct clecitions at the front. The Government jproposed a limited proxy vote. I Mr Cave later agreed to postpone the ! proxy voting proposal on the understanding ti-at the priueiple was accepted as en addition to postal voting, as far as the latter was practicable. EIGHT-HOURS DAY NOT POSSIBLE. London, Aug. 16. In the House of Commons Sir Albert Stanley said the Board of Trade 'was unable, under war conditions, to grant the eight-hours day to railwayinen. He trusted the men would not jeopardise the prosecution of the war.

HONORS FOR NEW 55BALANDER9. London, Aug. 16. The Distinguished .Service Order hoe been awarded to the folltfiving New Zaalanders: Colonel K. C. Allen.—At a critical i moment, at great personal risk, ha ral- | lied a number of men of another unit, i who were withdrawing under the barJrage, ar.d prevented a further retireicicnl. Although severely wounded he continued to give actions for the ronlinu.ince of the fight. Major A. Duil.y-Simitb.—Although sbvovely wounded and gassed he led, hfs company to it? objective and remained Until the situation was secure. Major R. D. Hardie.—Wounded in the eye. he led his men through a heavy barrage to the position, and continued j with great skill and courage to direct ' the gunfire. He remained throughout the i action. I Colonol D. J. McGavin— At great risk , jbe successfully evacuated the wounded , during our heavy offensive. ! Captain J. A. Sommerville.—Showed I Sue leadership in tlie attack and cap--1 turo of two field guns. | Colonel A. Wintervans.—Exhibited STL:it coolness aud energy iu consolidating a captured position. A bar to the Military Cross Is awarded Captain P. O. Partes for establishing strong posts on his unprotected flank, thus saving the advanced waves from being cut otf. MILITARY CROSSES lttß NEW ZEALANiDERS. : and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reutar. Received Aug. 18, 2.30 a.m. London, Auj;. 17. Military crosses have been awarded to New ZeaJar.ders as folhlws:—Captains ' A. Aildison, W. Aitken, J. Crawford, G. , Dailey. E. F. Selbr.. F. N. Whitmore, A. S. Wilder, O. W. Williams; Lieutemints 'R C. Abernethy, P. C. Ashley, J. M. 1 Barton, C. J. Bowell, I. A. Bristol, J. 11. Catchpole, L. A. Craven, C. J. Davidson, F. Jearl, E. Field, W. M. McGeddes, A WRONGED OFFICER RIGHTED. London, Aug. 10. Tn the Hquse of Commons, Mr. Montagu announced that Major Carter, who ■.i > 'jo r.i ..I":'. ..Meets in Mesopollsmia, had bejn promoted to lientenantcolouel. AN NAVAL COMMAND. London, Aug. W, Tho Daily Express 3ays an important I statement is forthcoming concerning the | naval command iu the Mediterranean.