REASSURING FIGURES.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1918, Page 5

REASSURING FIGURES.

INCREASED PRODCdTOX OF FOOD- ,, STUFFS. Router Service. Received Feb. 14, 8.5 p.m. London, Feb. 13. In the House of Commons, Mr. lionar Law stated that last year 8-20,000 men were added to the British army, 730,000 men and 800,000 women were placed in employment, whilst 550,000 tons of cereals and three million tons of potatoes were added to our production. A million additional acres were ploughed last year, and 1,200,000 more acres have already been ploughed this year The wheat stocks of the United Kingdom in December exceeded those of the three previous Decembers by two million quarters.

DIPLOMACY USELESS. FACING THE REAL FACTS. Received Feb. 14, 10.10 p.m. London, Feb. 13. In the House of Commons, Mr. R. D. Holt (Labor) moved an amendment regretting that by the decision of the Versailles War Council the only immediate task of the Government is the prosecution of its military effort. Mr. Whyte deprecated the attempt to "Cinch Austria from the Central Alliance Mr Jlnlfojir, j n reply, dissented from ."i:eh a doctrine, and added that if it were possib],. to break up the enemy coalition iiohnrtv v/oiilfl rejoice more than himself. Die Vercailles Council, faced bv Baron Hertling's and Count Czernin's speeches, s-nv therein no attempt to approach the Entente standpoint. It was obvious Count Czernin would refuse President Wilson's terms. The Kaiser's and Baron Herflinj's speeches proved they were ps far now as three •.•ears asro from accepting Pr:sident Wilson's ideals, which wer» common to the whole of the Entente Tii- diplomatic weapon was therefore ir,c-!es\ CEC-IPR*L ROBEPTSOM, A3KED TO RESIGN

United "er.'itp. ?"Cei.'pd Feb. 14, 3."> p.m. London, Feb. 53. The Daily Mail cays the Gnvnrnmwit endea-cred to induce General Sir Wm. Pcbertson to reoign his posit ion as Chief of Stlfl'. Onsral Robertson considers it hi.; duty -"o remain at his -post, unless removed. The Government fo considering whether it cliould insist on hio resignation. OUR ARMY'S TASK. DEFENCE OF FRANCE'S VITALS. London, Feb. 10. Mr. Lloyd George's reference yesterday to the great part the British army was now playing in France aroiised much attention. .The following was the text of the statement:— "The British are holding the most im portent part of the line. J felt flattered at the Versailles Council when I realised that this new army, whicli has sprung into being in the course of two or three years has been entrusted by France with the defence of its capital,' with the defence of the most vital parts of France (Cheers). The portß along the coast were all voluntarily handed over by France for defence by the British armv, and France's demand was not that the British army should take less, but more responsibility." (Cheers). "SURRENDER WEEK." HOUSEHOLDERS DISGORGING. Received February H, 5.5 p.m. . , . London, Feb- 13. Nearly every London hospital is benefiting by householders being warned to break up their food hoards durin" this "surrender week." ° COLONEL REPIXGTOX TO BE I PROSECUTED. London, Feb. 13. The Government is prosecuting Colonel Repington and the Morning Post on account of an article discussing the decisions of the Versailles Council. Received February 14, 55 p.m. In the. House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law, replying to questions, said Colonel Repmgton's article was submitted to the censor, who refused publication. Subsequently it was published in a different form without *>eing re-submit-ted.

AUSTRALIANS PRAISED. , London, Feb. 13. Sir Haig has issued an order congratulating the Australians on their successful raid westward of Warneton on February 2. AUSTRALIAN OR GERMAN? London, Feb. 13, Heinrich Markwald, who for many years was in business in Australia, appealed in the King's Bench ngainst a fine of £5 for having failed to register as an alien. Mr- Brnest Pollock argued that Markwald under Australian naturalisation was to- all intents and purpose. l ; a British subject. Mr. Justice Lawrence said it appeared to him tliat ttiis was precisely the class of case where the man ought to be placed under surveillance. Judgment was reserved. A BTG COMBINE. , London, Feb. 13. The Central News states that negotiations are proceeding for the amalgamation of the leading shipbuilding, armornlate. iron and stpol firms in Gfaswiw. Birmingham, and in fh» i"irth-piut coast, including Messrs. Viewers and Brpadmore.