MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE KING CONGRATULATED. BY BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. SOME GLOWING TRIBUTES Received Nov. 20, 7.35 p.m. London, Nov, i In the House of Commons Mr. £«.u.i' Law, on behalf of Mr. Lloyd George, who is slightly indisposed, moved a resolution congratulating the King on the conclusion of the armistice and the prospects of a victorious peace. The war, he said, had broken the crust whereon civilisation rested, and Europe was seething with revolution. Nevertheless, we were able to look on the future with hope, courage and confidence, because our institutions were based on the strongest foundations, namely, the consent of the nation.

None of these institutions was stronger than the Throne. It was the link which kept the Empire together, and made the union closer. But the Throne would have been much less strong but for the character of its occupants. He paid a tribute to the whole-hearted, unselfish devotion of the King and Queen throughout the war, to the task to which the nation was devoted. When kings were rapidly disappearing like phantoms our king was everywhere meeting with tributes of respect, devotion and affection. Those phantom kings fell because they placed their state on an imaginary, Divine right. Our King rested secure, because the foundation of the Throne was the will of the people. Mr. Asquith said that principalities and powers, apparently inviolable and invincible, which seemed to dominate a large part of mankind, lay in the dust. All things had become new in the crash. Thrones were built, some on unrighteousness, and some propped up with the brittle threadwork of convention The British Throne stood unshaken,' based on the people's will, reinforced by the living example of the King and his consort, who had always shown that they were not to be ministered unto, but to minister. The resolution was adopted unanimously, amid enthusiasm. A similar resolution was adopted in the House of Lords.—Reuter Service. REPLY TO WILSON'S MESSAGE. fDENTICAL VIEWS Or TWO COUNTRIES. OX INTERNATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION. Received Nov. 21, 1.30 aon. London, Nov. 19. The Prime Minister has telegraphed to President Wilson as follows: "Heartiest thanks for your cordial, kindly message. lam certain the ideals of the two countries regarding international reconutruction are fundamentally the same. I feel sure that at the peace conference ; we shall be able to co-operate and promote world-wide peace, iiberty, and true democracy."—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. THE GENERAL ELECTION. MR. ASQUITH'S PROTEST. WORLD DEVELOPMENT IN, THE CRUCIBLE. Received Nov. 20, 9.35 p.m. London, Nov. 19. 'Mr- Asquith, addressing tiie London Liberals, said that during the next six months the future world development would be in the crucible, therefore it would be a calamity to plunge Britain in the tumult of a general election. Tlie strongest argument against an election was that soldiers would not be returned in time to participate. A Parliament, brought into existence so truncated and mutilated, would lack moral authority. He entered the election, frankly, as a Liberal, but was prepared to support any Government which grappled with the reconstruction problems on progressive lines.—Aus. Cable Assoc. THE TOTAL CASUALTIES. OVER THREE MITXTON. Received Nov. 20, .9.35 p.m. London, Nov. 19. The total of the British Dominions and Indian casualties is 142.C3>1 officers and 2:907,337 men, whereof 37,836 officers and

HUN BRUTALITY. TO BRITISH PRISONERS. STARVATION, EXPOSURE, PUNISHMENT, Received Nov- 20, 9.35 p.m. London, Nov. 19. Returned war prisoners state that brutality against the English increased everywhere in the German camps three months prior to the armistice. Yorkshire soldiers say that they left 5200 out of 4000 who were interned at Cologne, who were too ill to move, mainly as tie result of starvation, exposure, and punishment. —'United Service. DEMOBILISATION DELAYED. OWING TO WAR SITUATION. Received Nov. 20, 8.30 p.m. London, Nov. 19. The War Office states that the military situation does not admit of the commencement of demobilisation, excepting of limited numbers required for industrial reconstruction. —Aus-N.Z. Cable As eoeiation and Reuter. NEW ZEALAND PRISONERS. ARRIVING IN ENGLAND, London, Nov. 19. New Zealand prisoners of war are arriving in England. Sir Thomas Mackenzie and the New Zealand military authorities are arranging for their reception and comfort.—Aua. N.Z. Cable Association. 200,000 MINES. STILL TO BE REMOVED. London, Nov. 19. It is estimated that 200,000 mines are still in home waters. _ Existing minesweepers will be kept as a unit of the navy until tho danger is removed. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. THE ALLIES' COSTS. MR. BONAR LAW'S SILENCE. London. Nov. 19. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law declined to say whether the terms to Germany included repayment to meet the cost of the war incurred by tho Allies.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.