MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

GARRISONING THE EMPIRE. London, Feb. 19. Mr Churchill, speaking at the Mansion House, said that Britain was engaged in forming a voluntary army for garrisoning the Empire, but at least a year would be necessary before they could complete it. Recruiting was now at the rate of a thousand daily. A comparatively small army would be needed afteer the war, but until the new army was ready, provision must be made to bridge the gap, otherwise the Empire might fail. They were going to ensure that it would be unnecessary to have this war over again. They would politely go and ask Germany to carry out certain measures and would stand by and see that she did so in letter and spirit They were going to set a "Watch on the Rhine" and mske Germany pay. The Government proposed to maintain an army, of 900,000 men during 1319. The nation must face the fact that the army required for the Rhine could not be retained on the voluntary basis. It would be futile to attempt to keep pressure on Germany by the blockade, it would only plunge Germany into Bolshevik anarchy.—Aus - N.Z. Cable As?n ROYAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA HOUSE London, Feb. 21. The Queen and Princess Mary, accompanied by Sir Edward Wallington, Private Secretary to the Queen, paid an informal visit to Australia House. Mr. Fisher, Mrs. Fisher, and Mr. E. Box, Official Secretary in Britain of the Commonwealth, received the party and escorted them over the whole building. The Queen was greatly interested in the exhibition of war trophies, and expressed the greatest admiration for the building, especially the Australian marble and woodwork. The party visited the soldiers' rest room and chatted to several soldiers and were photographed among them. ' Mr. Campion conducted the party ovet the military branch of the Commonwealth Bank. The Queen asked many questions regarding the handling of soldiers' savings. The whole bank stall' lined up and gave three cheers for the Queen when leaving.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE FOOD STOCKS QUESTION. London, Feb. 19. The Food Controller states that the food stocks of the country, mainly held by the Ministry of Food, which are now being released, include 96,700 tons of beef and mutton, 34,500 tons of canned meat, 04,G00 tons of bacon and 10,000 tons of cheese, in addition to large stocks in New Zealnad, which will not reach England until June. There are 12,400 tons of butter, and ample supplies of margarine, 364,000 tons of sugar and 15,000 tons of tea. No netv ration books are being printed, but it may be necessary' to control meat and butter after the present books are exhausted on April 30. It is anticipated that noxt month will show an appreciable fall in food prices.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROCEEDL\-GS~AGAINST BOLSHEVIKS. London, Feb. 19. It is understood that the Government is instituting proceedings against the leaders of British Bolshevism. It is reported that there are 20,000 Bolsheviks in London, of whom one-third are British and the remainder Russian and other aliens.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LICENSING REFORMS. London, Feb. 21. Lord Lamington .has introduced a Bill to assist in the transformation of public houses into real refreshment houses. Licenses for the improved public houses shall include permission for dancing and other entertainments on the premises.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL. London, Feb •22. It is expected that 700 delegates will attend the National Indusrial Council. Reports from various coalfields indicate that only o" per cent of the miners are voting. HONORING OVERSEAS OFFICERS. THE KING'S WISH. Received Feb. 24, 8.35 p.m. London, Feb. 23. The Press Bureau states that the King expressed ft wish to personally invest and decorate the Dominions and overseas officers who had been awarded honors before they returned to their homes.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.