WAR NEWS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5190, 19 July 1915, Page 7

WAR NEWS.

THRIFT AND NEW TAXATION.

Electric Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. London, Last Night.

A representative meeting of financiers and business men in the city recommended increased thrift and new taxation of all classes of the people. Air Harold Cox said : Before l the l war is over Britain may have to borrow two thousand millions. Our annual expenditure hereafter will lie at least £130,000 over the peace standard. Lord St. Aldwyn, who was presiding, said extravagance is visible among all classes. At deputation waits on the Premier.

POSITION OF HOLLAND

AIAY BE ATTACKED

Rotterdam, Last Night. Air Winston Churchill, in an interview by the Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Gourant, censored by London, said: “Had Antwerp been able to obtain transport along the Scheldt, it need not have fallen, and the Belgians would have been able to maintain the position at the Nethe instead of at the Yser. Holland’s neutrality is not onesided now that she holds Antwerp closed for the Germans. Don’t misunderstand me. Had the Netherlands allowed a violation of neutrality it would have been attacked and perhaps occupied in great part by the German army. The Allies carefully respected tile Xetherland's right as an independent state to consider its own interests. The Allies did not ask nor even hint at a passage along the Scheldt. Danger would never threaten from our side. A free Netherlands cannot,exist with a German Antwerp. There are possibilities of real danger because Germany may be forced to attack Holland. Germany is getting into the position of a wild beast in a cage which sees flame coming nearer and nearer and makes desperate dashes from left to right. Fortunately you possess a good and brave army, and then there is your wonderful water line. After this war the ]*>sition of snm.ll states will he stronger than ever. The criminal who ha.s thrown himself on little Belgium will stand after chastisement as a fearful example.” Air Churchill added : “The ATJieB are going to win. The world stands open to us, and we can recuperate and strengthen ourselves as often as may be necessary. Britain’s determination and power will grow monthly. Aten are streaming in and we are unable to equip them as quickly as they offer themselves. lndustritl resources arc being thoroughly organised, and the production of ammunition will be staggering. The fleet continually grows stronger. The Italians have joined ms, and they are fresh, and more will follow. Ls it strange that the British were not so strong as the Germans on the first day? These people, had prepared themselves for forty years and we had to expand while fighting and partly improvise.

The Niewe Commit, commenting on the Churchill interview, says it confirms the opinion that Dutch neutrality has nothing to fear from England. The interview gives satisfaction in Holland. WO.MF.N AS WORKERS London, Last Night. Heavy rain detracted from the women's demonstration. The procession was a mile long of 125 sections, each headed by banners. Among inscriptions were “men must fight and women must work.” “Wo arc not. slackers.” “We mean to save our country.” “To keep the Kaiser out we demand war service for all.” Air Lloyd George, in an address, said alxMit 50.<KK) women are already working in the munit on factories. It was a question of getting men and women to work together to help the country through .the worst crisis rver experienced. The first tiling was to get an adequate supply of machine fools. Government are assuming control of all machine tool making estale lishments'. Women must gve their whole time to the work. They will receive the same piece rates as men. Government would control the factories and see that there is no sweated labour. Women could help to victory and without them victory would tarry. Victory which tarries means victory whose footprints are prints of blood.