MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

A RIOT IN LONDON. SOLDIERS FIGHT POLICE. Received March 10, 8 p.m. London, March 9. A riot occurred in the Strand as the result of a constable attempting to arlest American sailors who were gambling outside the Y.M.C.A. refreshment hut. The sailors resisted the constable, who summoned assitanee, and a melee followed, wherein several American, Canadian, and Australian soldiers fought. The police were reinforced from Bow Street. An American policeman drew a revolver, threatening the civilian police, who rushed and overpowered Juni. The soldiers attempted a rescue, but the police, using their batons, felled many of the soldiers, forcing the others along Aldway, and gradually broke up the rioters.

The police arrested seven, including the military policeman. Owing to a

subsequent rumor that the latter had died, three thousand soldiers and sailors proceeded to Bow Street, breaking the station windows and boohooiug.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

IMPORTS FROM COLONIES. FREED FROM RESTRICTIONS, Received March 11, 12.50 a.m. London, March 10. Mr. W. C. Bridgeman, in the House of Commons, stated that Cabinet had decided to remove the restrictions upon imports coming from all parts of the British Empire. It is impossible at present to remove restrictions on imports from foreign countries, but all raw materials would be free from restrictions.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. THE NAVAL ESTIMATES. Received March 11, 12.50 a.m. London, March 9. The naval estimates for 1919-20 total £149,200,000. The principal items are sixty-eight millions for building, repairs, and maintenance, while requirements for armaments and aviation amount to eighteen millions,—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association. FURTHER DETAILS. Received March 10, 8.25 p.m. London, March 9. Thirty police rushed out and charged the mob, batoning right and left. Most of the rioters fled towards the Strand. The police, reinforced from neighboring stations, drew a cordon across Bow Street. The mob of soldiers assembled twenty yards away, and, answering the leaders' call, rushed the police, who simultaneously charged and dispersed the rioters after five minutes' vigorous fighting. Twenty were arrested. Subsequently mounted police patrolled the approaches to Bow Street.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

SEND-OFF TO NEW ZEALANDERS. Received March 10, 7.45 p.m. London, March 9. A great crowd participated in an enthusiastic send-off to 1200 New Zealanders at Southampton aboard the Willoehra. The Mayor wished them "Godspeed," and hoped the New Zealanders would retain kindly and affectionate memories of the Motherland.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.