MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE BRITISH NAVY. DESCRIPTION OP THE NEW VESSELS. "TEE HUSH.SHIPS.' London, Dec. 8. The Times, ia an article by a naval correspondent on war-time construction of the British Navy, gives the nanus of 21 additions to the British battle squadrons. These have ail been joined to the Grand Fleet since the pre-war navy list was published. Two are of the Iron Duke class—the Emperor of India and the Benbow.. The five vessels of the Queen Elizabeth class, include the Barham, Valiant, Warspite and Malay. Five others, of the same class but of slightly smaller displacement, are the Royal Sovereign, the Royal Oak, Ramillies, Resolution and Revenge. The two Turkish battleships were named Agincourt and Erin. The two Chilian vessels also taken over were renamed Canada and Eagle. Five others, familiarly known as "hush ships,'* including the Kepulse, Courageous, Glorious and Frivolous, are all 800 ft long, of 30,000 tonß. with a speed of 30 to 35 knots. "Although so huee. they were completed within a year, while the combination of great speed with heavy armament on a comparativery light draft would allow them to be used in the shallow waters of the North Sea and Baltic to catch and smash' the retreating enemy. Monsieur Eosseau, naval writer in tiie Temps, states that the new ships are fitted with devices to neutralise explosions as far as possible and afford them coniderable immunity from torpedo attacks.—Reuter.

SHIPPING FOR THE COLONIES. GOOD NEWS FOR PRODUCERS. Received Dec. 9, 7.30 p.m. London, Dee. 8. Numerous steamers are being diverted for the purpose of repatriating Australians and New Zealanders, including a number of large insulated vessels, also many liners never previously in the Antipodes, so that a considerable tonnage will be available in March and April to lift the Imperial Government's purchases of dairy produce, waeat ana wool—Ana. Nil. Cable Assoc. and Scoter. 1 LABOR CANDIDATE'S PROTEST A MOCKEJ2Y OP THE FRANCHISE. London, Dec. 8. Mr Clyne.», in a speech at Rochdale, said iml distaste for the election was felt all over the country. It was a mockery of the franchise to put on the register soldiers hundreds of miles from home, who were not acquainted with the candidates' circumstances or the questions in conflict. Whatever the result of the contest the Government could not be supported by a moral and lasting force.—-Aus.-Ni Cable Assn. NEW TEAT,ADDERS AT SPORT. London, Dec- 8. The New Zealand Rugby footballers tn preparing for * Welsh tour. Much interest is being taken in the British Empire and American services boxing tournament at Albert Hall on December 11. The' New Zealand team includes Rtasimmons, Denny Boreham, Gunn. Des Lawless, and Johnny Heeney. BRITISHERS REPATRIATED. London, Dec 8. There have been 2110 officers, 56,694 of other ranks, and 2732 civilians repatriated in Britain since the armistica —Aus.-N Z. Cable Assh-