MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

MAN-POWER PROBLEM, SOLUTION MEANS VICTORY. WORK FOR DISCHARGED SOLDIERS. London, Jan. 15. In th.e House of Commons, Sir Auckland (Jeddcs said: Our enemies are staking everything on our failure to solve the man-power problem. A successful solution meant certain victory. Much has already been accomplished. The Ministry in December tilled 37,000 vacancies for men and lili.OOO women. The co-operation of the trade committee of the Trade Unions was of the greatest value in assisting their substitution in the army. We have established seven centres for discharged soldiers at which the Ministry is setting up employment exchanges, enabling discharged men to engage in work of national importance. We are also bringing back into civilian life men in medical categories not wanted immediately for army purposes. i DEFENSIVE TACTICS TO OF- ADOPTED BY ANGLOFRENCH. UYHL AMERICA'S WEIGHT BEGINS TO TELL. deceived Jan. 16, 5,5 p.m. London, Jan. 15. In the Houße of Commons, Sir Auckland Geddes introduced trm Man Power Bill in a ninety-minutes Bpeech. He gave a masterly survey of the British resources, as 'Well as the military and industrial needs. His most important declaration was that until America's weight began to tell decisively, the role of the British and French armies in the West would be defensive. i Notwithstanding Russia's defection, the resources which the Allies and America had actually mobilised, or had in reserve in civil life, were sufficient to assure victory, and only a psychological catastrophe such as had befallen Russia could save the Central Powers when the full force of America came into play. The endurance of the Allies would be justified by their superiority, which was sure to herald a complete victory. Britain had four million men oa the rolls today. t ..

YARMOUTH BOMBARDMENT: material damage not serious. London, Jan. 15. Official.—Yarmouth was bombarded from the sea last night Fire opened at 10.55 and lasted for five minutes. Twenty shells fell in the town. The latest reports say that three persons were killed and ten injured. The damage is not serious. STAR-SHELL ASSISTS RANGEFINDING. Received Jan. 16, 10.13 p.m, London, Jan. 15. Residents were retiring when the preliminary star-shell dimly lit the town, assisting range,flnding. All the killed were men. ! Times Service. i Received Jan. 16, 10.15 p.m. London, Jan. 15. It is believed the Yarmouth raider was * large submarine or light cruiser. OFFICIAL REPORT. Wellington, Jan. 16. The High Commissioner reports un. der date London, January 15 (11 a.m.): Lord French reports that Yarmouth w,as i bombarded from the .sea last night for j five minutes. Three people were killed [and ten Injured, Material damage is I not serious.

REDUCING CASUALTIES. BY ELIMINATING CARELESSNESS. PACIFISTS WARNED. \ London, Jan. IS. In the House of Commons Sir Auckland Geddes said the Government had considered the casualty problem carefully and had determined to stamp out carelessness regarding human life. He warned the pacifists who were attempting to stir up strife in munition factories that they would encounter a surprising blaßt of hatred and contempt. WOMEN FOR NAVAL SERVICES. Reecived Jan. 16, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 15. British recruiting of women for the Royal Naval Service has begun in London. The Jews of various nationalities in London are freely enrolling in the Jewish Legion, which is attached to the Royal Fusiliers. PETROLEUM BILL DROPPED. Received Jan, 16, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 15. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law announced that the -Petroleum Bill had been dropped because the necessary action could be taken without special legislation.

PROSECUTION OF FOOD HOARDERS. PRIVATE HOUSES SEARCHED. Received Jan. Id, 5.5 p.m. London. Jan. 15. Lord Rhondda has ordered hundreds of prosecutions of food hoarders, based on inquiries into deliveries of goods by the large stores in London and the provinces. Ollicials of the Ministry of Food have made many searches in private liousiw. DARDANELLES REPORT. TO BE PUBLISHED AFTER THE WAR. Received Jan. 16, 5.5 p.m. London, Jnn. 15, It is unlikely that the Dardanelles report will be published before the conelusion of the war.

MESSAGE TO RUSSIA. BY BRITISH TRADES AND LABOR PARTY. RUSSIA RISKING HER FREEDOM. Received Jan, 17, 12.45 a.m. London, Jan. 15. The Trades Union Congress and Labor Party sent a message to the Russian people, stating that by breaking off negotiations Russia risks the suppression -of her newly-won freedom. In this crisis the British people must speak. Therefore they proclaim their identical aims with Russia, and will accept no annexations for the British Empire. We will respect the sovereign independence of the Turkish people in Constantinople, Thrace, and Anatolia, but the British Government has justifiably pledged itself to the Arabs and Jews. We accept the renunciation of annexation for tropical Africa, and Belf-determination for India and the dependencies, though the record of British government occasions little reproach, and the application of selfdetermination will be difficult. Our purpose is eventually to raise them to the status of dominions. WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE. , Reuter Service. Received Jan. 17, 1.10 a.m. London, Jan, 16. The House of Lords rejected, by 00 to 03, a proposal for a referendum among women on women's suffrage.