MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1918, Page 6

MOTHER COUNTRY.

GENERAL FRENCH'S SUCCESSOR. London, May 7. The Daily Chronicle says that General Sir William Robertson will succeed General Lord French as commander-in-chief of the troops stationed In the United Kingdom. BRITISH CASUALTIES. London, May !. Roumania has signed peace with the Teutons. The British casualties for the past week are 38,600—Au5.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. FOSTERING WHALING INDUSTRY. London, May 7. Tho iPrcss Bureau reports that the Colonial Office has appointed a committee to inquire into the preservation of the whaling industry and to investigate the economic and scientific possibilities of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Shetlands, and Grahamland Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

REPRISALS ON GERMAN PRISONERS London, May 7. Lord Newton, explaining the restriction of the privileges of German officers in Britain as a reprisal, points out that it is not the first instance, but the others have been on a smaller scale. Threats have usually sufficed, but in this case repeated remonstrances have been unavailing, and the conditions of certain officers in camp in Germany are still very bad. The Prussian general, Hanisch, who is in command of the camps in Germanyhag always been of a bitterly anti-Brit-ish disposition, and most of his subordinates are not fitted for their posts. He understood that the reprisals consisted of closer confinement, less recreation, and fewer domestic comforts.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

FATE OP KUT PRISONERS. London, May 7. Mr. Hope, in the House of Commons, said that no further information had heen received concerning the fate of 59ft British and 2000 native troops taken prisoner hy the Turks. Tiie majority had probably succumbed on the March. from Kut—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. SHORTAGE OP SILVER. London, May 7. There is a shortage of silver in many towns in south-west Ireland, which is due to the Sinn Fein campaign, the leaders of which put about a rumor that the Government intended to repudiate the £1 and 10s notes. The poorer classes immediately invaded the shops, tendering notes for purchases often worth a few pence. The panic coutinues and business is ffreatly hampered.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Association, INCREASED (POSTAL RATES. London. May 7. The House of Commons carried the second reading of the Bill authorising increased postal rates. The Postmaster-General estimates that the extra letter rate to the Dominions and colonies will produce £140,000 annually. The increased letter rates will not apply to soldiers servI ing abroad.—Reuter.