LONDON NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 18 March 1915, Page 5

LONDON NEWS.

CONTINUATION OF RACING. COST OF THE WAR. THE PRINCE OF WALES.

LONDON, March 17. lhe Duke of Portland sent a.letter to the Jockey Club meeting suggesting that they suspend the larger meetings m order not to distract the energies of the nation from the supreme object. Captain Greer, presiding, said that an indefinite stoppage would bankrupt breeders of bloodstock, and render idle many thousands of employees. Lord Villiers announced that the Royal enclosure at Ascot would be closed, and no special trains run. The King did not intend to be present. Lord Rosebery asked the Club not to identify themselves with people who wanted f^og and gloom to rest over the country and to walk with their heads hanging down because we were engaged m a gigantic war' on' behalf of liberty. The resolution to continue racing without the social functions, was carried, with one dissentient. Dr. Edgar Crammond, in an address before the Royal Statistical Society, said the cost of the war was nine thousand millions sterling a year. Belgium's loss was 526 millions, including 250 millions for destruction of property. The year's war cost to Germany would be 2775, millions, including 958 millions for decreased production and 879 millions, the capitalised value of human life, compared with a cost, to Britain, of 1258 millions. A war indemnity to compensate the victors would have to be 4500 millions. The Prince of Wales is now attached to the Staff close to the front. He is kept busy morning and night, and is in the pink of'condition and perfectly i'.appy, because he feels he is sharing fhe actual life of the soldiers.