THE MOTHER COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16921, 29 July 1915, Page 7

THE MOTHER COUNTRY.

INTERNMENT COMMITTEE. WORK ALMOST CONCLUDED; By Telegraph—Preen Association—Copyright. LONDON, July 27. j In the House of Commons. Sir J. A.,\ Simon announced that the Internment} Committee had practically concluded its work. Of fourteen thousand applications for exemption, 6092 had been; granted and 732 refused, while 7000 cases had not been determined. Internments since May 13 totalled 9333 and repatriations 6302. There .was an i average thousand internment:* I

weekly. The committee is favouring the Austrian applications in viow of leniency to British in Austria, in oon.irast to Germany. PRICE OF COAL. O LONDON, July 27. In the Coal Bill, Mr Runciman’s amendment was passed, bringing contracts since April 1 within the Bill. Sir A. B. Markham and others expressed satisfaction. THE BILL PASSED. (Received July 28, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 28. An amendment to fix "retail coal priced was negatived. Mr Runaiman said that a departmental committee had' considered the question of the poor lieing victimised and had found that it would practically be necessary to follow hawkers from door' to door to ensure observance of the "regulation. The principal merchants were prepared to open depots in the poorer districts, and ho recommended the publio to patronise merchants entering into the Government agreement. The Bill was read a third time. MEAT FOR THE TROOPS. . LONDON, July 27. In the House of Commons, Mr J. i p. Butcher asked whether in view of the amount imported from Australia, |t was possible to issue mutton in lieu of beef more frequently to the troops. Mr H. W. Forester stated that mutton was issued twioe a week. More frequent issue was nob popular with the troops, but the matter was being considered. SICKNESS AT DARDANELLES. LONDON, July 28. In the House of Commons Mr Tennant announced that there was a certain amount of enteric and dysentery at the Dardanelles. PAYMENTS TO DEPENDENTS. LONDON, July 28. Lord Newton, in the House of fiords, said that payments to dependents of married soldiers amounted to £750,000 weekly. The War Office did oot desire to recruit married men, but the fact that Parliament was treating the. dependents of married soldiers with greater generosity served as a special inducement. * THE DRINK REGULATIONS. (Received July 28, 10 p.m.) LONDON, July 28. Under the new drink regulations hotels on the Clydo and in other Scottish industrial areas are only allowed to open on Saturday between four in .the afternoon and nine in the evening. It is intended to prevent weekend drinking bouts. HOUSE OF COMMONS. PROTEST AGAINST ADJOURNMENT. (Received July 28, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, July 28. Sir E. A. Cornwall, Sir Frederick Cawley, the Right Hon Ellis Griffiths, the Hon F. E. Guest, Sir Ivor Herbert, Sir •A. M. Mond, Mr j Dudley Ward and Mr J. 0. Wedg- ; .wood have issued a whip, soeldng for Bupporb to the view that “it is un- J desirable that the House of Commons , should adjourn for six very important weeks without a Government statement j assuring the British troops and' the ; French people that we mean to sub- j mit our. y immediately to every ■*ol7ll of <i plino to win." MERCANTILE MARINE. ITS WORLD-WIDE SERVICE. LONDON, July, 28. Sir Edward Hain, at a meeting of tlic London Shipowners’ Society, said that whatever the criticism of Britain’s preparedness, the merchantmen were , ready for all demands and were instantly available for world-wide service. The work of the mercantile comes next in importance in valour and devotion i to that of the Navy. Without tho aid , of its splendid achievements the fight- , sng forces would have been impossible. “ 1.t7 maintained economic life with re- < sourceful courage. It was au un- i justifiable ohargo that shipowners ( claimed excessive, freights. The transport Department, from the commencement of 1916, by mutual agreement / •secured the tonnage required for the '1 national service at half tho lulling : rates. i

NOTES FROM LONDON.

THE IRON HEEL IN ANTWERP. LONDON, July 27. A message from Rotterdam states ■that General Bodenhausen, Governor of Antwerp, fined the city £IO.OOO as the result of the patriotic demonstration on July 21. He has_ since imposed rigorous regulations on civilians, none of whom is allowed to stand in the streets. MUNITIONS IN INDIA. LONDON. July 27. The " Manchester Guardian '' says hha,t within a short time every large Vorisshop in India will bo making munitions-. General work in railway shops has..been suspanded.