MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

A BRITISH REVIEW. BIG GETMAX OFFENSIVE PREDICTED. ITALIAN POSITION IMPROVED. •Renter Service Received Jan. 3, S.*s p.m. London, Jan. 2. A high British military authority, in his weekly review, after stating that enemy efforts to get tile ridge on the right flank o! the Cambrai battle-front were almost a complete failure, and that our position was satisfactory, remarks that while it is true that troops are steadily coming from the East front, they are not. coming in hundreds of thousand*. Such talk omits to take account of the transport and coal difficulties The enemy is still a iong way from being superior to the Allies on the West front. However, we must expect a German offensive on a more considerable scale than formerly, but there is 110 reason to suppose it will inflict such casualties on us as we in Dieted on him in cur offensive.

Reviewing the vcw's operations, he states the Allies hold moat of tlie high ground and ridges, their positions being better than ever before, but tlie public must he prepared for the possibility of losing some of our ground and guns in the event of a big enemy offensive. The Italian position has improved. Time is on our side there, and altogether the position i> satisfactory. As regards Palestine, General Allenby is now eleven miles north of Jerusalem. The difficult country and unfavorable Weather will prevent a considerable forward movement until the weather I,ls improved. COMMANDEERING CATTLE. PROM OBDURATE FARMERS. Received .lan. 3, 8.40 p.m. London, Jan. 2 An early meat famine was threatened owing to the farmers refusing to send cattle to market under the new ordet regulating the price of cattle on the basis of live weight, but Lord Tihondda empowered the commissioners to commandeer wherever farmers withhold cattle

THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE. NEW BLOOD AND NEW METHODS WANTED. London, Jfln. 2. The Daily Chronicle states that the embassies at Washington, Paris,, nnd Petrograd will shortly be vacant, and it is imperative to bring new blood inttf the service similar to Lord Bryce'a former appointment to Washington. New modes of thought and new methods are badly wanted in the diplomatic service. A MINE EXPLODES. SEVERAL KILLED AND WOUNDED. London, Jan. 2. A mine was washed ashore at Pegwelt Bay. A number of men tried to drag it ashore when it exploded and killed sr-ven and injured 24. CONTROL OF WOOL. SUGGESTIONS BY THE TRADE. London, Jan. 2. A deputation of the Wool Textile Association waited on Sir Albert Stanley respecting the Imports and Exports Control Bill asking that the control of wool should not be continued for three years after the war, and suggesting that tlie term be siv or twelve months with an extension if necessary.

Sir Albert Stanley replied that the Government was not wedded to three years, but the tonnage difficulty would not end with the war. RECONSTRUCTION POLICY. LABOR'S REPORT. Heceivad Jan. 3, 5.40 p.m. London, Jan. 2. Labor's report on the reconstruction policy urges the universal enforcement of a. national minimum wage; democratic control of industry; a revolution in the methods of national finance; and the acquisition of surplus wealth for the common good. AIR BOARD OFFICE. London, Jan. 2. It is understood that the Government is taking over the British Museum as Air Board omces. ARGENTINE WOOL. London, Jan. 2. The Government having granted perj mission to import Argentine wools, n syndicate at Bradford is arranging to j purchase several thousand bales, if ' fjaiwht is obtainable.