MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1918, Page 6

MOTHER COUNTRY.

WAR RTSONERJj ILL-TREATMENT MUST BE ENDED. London, Oct. 13. The Press Bureau has issued a statement by the Inter-Departmental Committee on war prisoners announeine the receipt of Germany's refusal to ratify the Anglo-Genuan prisoners' agreement unless guarantees are given against the deportation or internment of Germans in China.

The statement proceeds to say that tlie Government has determined to take diastic steps to end the continued maltreatment of British war prisoners behind the lines, in the salt mines, and elsewhere. They accordingly demand Germany to redress these grievances, and particularly: (1) Immediately to r moye prisoners not less than 30 kilometres behind the ring-line; (2) to afford proper and humane treatment to prisoners m occupied territories and elsewhere; (37 to permit Netherlands representatives to inspect the occupied territory behind the lines with a view to ascertaining if the grievances have been redressed; (4) to undertake that no prisoner henceforth be employed in salt mines; ( 3 ) t 0 carry out the articles of tlie recent .Hague agreement contain* a human code of treatment of prison!

with,, T r n 71011(16,1 aat ~niess four weeks these requirements •re accepted and Britain satisfied bv neutral representatives that the necessary action has been taken. Britain will . concert w,th her Allies, t'ake such steps in her power to ensure that the pel sons responsible for the outrages are punished. The nature of the further reprisals which may be taken will 1> «ered i a tS Steps are also being taken to secure te ter treatment of p ri , 01!ers in * 'anus. Instructions have been sent erg retUni ° f S°»" Issoc! required. Aus.-N.Z. Cable

STOCK EXCHANGE STEADY. Tl,» <st„ t n , Londori > Oct. 13. the Stock Exchange is inactive but the general tone is steady. Consols are quoted at £6O lOs.-Aus." N.Z. Cab e As sociation. PURCHASES OF BUTTER AND CHEESE. m, „ „ London, Oct. 12. The Government has purchased the Australian cheese. The terms of purchase ot New Zealand butter and cheese iiave not yet been settled.—Aus. NZ table Assoc.