MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1918, Page 4

MOTHER COUNTRY.

WAR PRISONERS CONFERENCE THE PROGRAMME FORMULATED. London, June 10. The Daily Telegraph's Rotterdam correspondent says that at the opening session at The Hague the conference formulated a programme much wider than many dared to hope. It provides that the conference shall deal with the following subjects: First, the scrupulous carrying out of the existing agreements; second, the treatment and conditions ot employment of war prisoners; third, re. prisal questions; fourth, the extension of agreements concerning repatriation or internment in other countries; fifth, the methods for selection of the sick and wounded within these categories; sixth, improvement in camp conditions, including tie feeding of war prisoners and interned men;;' Meeting at the moment when the delegates' countries have reached the crisis of the life and death struggle outside the conference, which could hear the nimble of tho guns in Flanders, it is a strange paradox to see British and Germans entering the same door, the military representatives, like their civilian colleagues, wearing the top hat and frock coat of diplomacy Outsiders are scarcely able to distinguish friend and enemy There were no formal introductions, the delegates simply bowing to each other and took their Beats on either side of the long taible, at which M. Loudon presided.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association.

A GERMAN DEMAND. Amsterdam, June 10. The Berliner Tageblatt states that the German delegates will demand the exchange of 3500 German prisoners taken in Africa.—Aus. N.Z. Caible Assoc. DOMINION SOLDIERS' COMMEMORATION. London, June 10. Sir Robert Borden, Sir Thomas Mackenzie the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, together with many Australian, Canadian, South African, and American soldiers, attended service at St. Columbus Church in commemoration of Dominion soldiery especially Scottish, who have fallen in the war.—Aus. N.Z. Caible Assoc. VARIOUS ITEMS. """V London, June 10. In the House of Commons Mr. Balfour said that the Government was considering holding private sessions, in order to give the House of Commons information on foreign affairs. Mr. Bonar Law said the Government was considering the legal position of women in respect of election to the House of Commons. Mr. MePherson said that German bombing raids in three weeks had inflicted 041 casualties in British hospitals

A prisoner landed from a German submarine, who was now in the Tower, had been identified as Lance-Corporal Mowling, of the Connaught Rangers, who will be court-martialled for voluntarily aiding the enemy. Mr. Hughes will be installed in a private furnished homo in Regent's Park, which the Imperial Government has secured. The other Australians will reside in the Savoy Hotel. A committee, representing shipping interests, the Board of Trade, and the Government, ■is about to consider the after-t.he-war use of navy ships for merchant tonnage.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. The newspapers warmly welcome the overseas statesmen, declaring that the war has demonstrated the unity of the Empire, which itself is a league of nations. It is suggested in some quarters that the Imperial Conference should accept General Smuts' hint and consider the best way of settling Ireland's grievances. The Daily Telegraph says the public retains a vivid recollection of Mr. Hnahes' tonic personality, fiery energy, and magnetic and full-blooded speeches. The Telegraph earnestly hopes that if he finds traces of lethargy Mr. Hughes will again galvanise us into fresh activity. Both Australia and New Zealand have sent their Premiers to declare fearlessly the new Australasian Monroe doctrine, "Hands off the Pacific " The discussions at the conference on that theme alone will be of first-rate importance owing to its obvious bearing on possible peace terms. Mr. Massey, interviewed, said he brought from New Zealand the promise and inflexible resolve to do all in her power to carry the war to a successful end. He was convinced that the only satisfactory end would be one which would render Germany incapable of resuming the war or continuing the menace to the peaceful progress of the free nations. The colonies in the Pacific oueht not to be returned to Germany. She would use them for naval bases, wireless stations, and aerodromes, a peril which must be avoided.

Sir Joseph Ward, interviewed, said he was impressed by the appearance of the country from a productive standpoint since his last visit. He opined that the heaviness of the prospective crops and the increase in cultivated area proved that Germany's chance of starving Britain was an absolute failure. The war could only end in a pronounced and certain victory for the British Empire and her powerful allies. New Zealand had resolved to do her part till victory had been attained. The sacrifice would be great, but the goal was greater.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Keuter. BREMER WELCOMES OVERSEAS' MINISTERS. Received June H 8.30 pa London, June Ifl. Mr. MB«\ev and Sir Joseph Ward visited the lioapital at Bwkenliurst, where the former's son, a major in the Lancashire Fusiliers, is a patient, having been recently shot through both lunge, but is progressing favorably. Most of the overseas' Ministers inspected the Madden gun at Knightsbridge Barracks. Mr- Massey and Sir Tosep'a Ward visited the Oolonial Office Afterwards Mr. Lloyd George welcomed the Overseas' Prime Ministers at Downing Street. He receives other delegates to-morrow. It is expected that the delegates will take their seats at tihe War Cabinet tomorrow.—Press Assoc.

RETENTION OF GERMAN OOLONIES, BRITISHERS SUPPORT AUSTRAASLANS. Received June 11, 0.10 p.m. London, June 10. The Standard eays that Britishers are heart and soul with the Australasians in demanding that the Germans shall no longer have a foothold in the Pacific, By their valiant sacrifices, the Australasians have gained the right to resolute British support. The Foreign Office should make it clear that the captured islands in the South Pacific will not be used as counters in the territorial juatmente of Europe.—United Service.