MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

ANGLO-DUTCH AGREEMENT ABANDONED. ' London, Oct. 17. The proposed Anglo-Dutch arrangements, under which Holland was to import several hundred thousand tons of coal from Britain, the latter in return receiving a certain proportion of foodstuffs from Holland, has apparently broken down. The Dutch Minister of Agriculture states that the plan for requisitioning ships to bring coal from Britain has been abandoned owing to Germany's inability to guarantee their safety, even if they have distinguishing marks, because they might be mistaken for submarine traps. MEMORIAL PLAQUE COMPETITION. Received Oct. 19, 1 a.m. London, Oct 18 The Press Bureau states 1 that the competition for designs for a memorial plaque for the next-of-kin of the killed closes at the end of 1917, so as to enable members of the forces serving overseas and artists resident in the Dominions to participate. CASUALTIES AMONG OFFICERS. Aus. and X.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Oct. .18, 7.50 p.m. London, Oct. 17. The War Office, -in reply to a Swedish newspaper's allegation that the British officer casualties averaged 511 daily in August, declares that they averaged 183 daily, being 106' in September. The highest daily average was 282, in July, 1916. The above figures include even-the slightest casualties.