LATE NEWS

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 563, 29 November 1915, Page 10

LATE NEWS

WAR SPECIAL. THE ALLIES' ORGANISATION. LONDON, November 28. - The Government has transferred from ihe Army Council and the 'Ministry of "Munitions the responsibility of testing arms, examining munitions an.d invenffons. A Munitions Board now controls the research department at Woolwich, the experiment department at Slioeburyness, and the War Ollice inventions branch. MajorGeneral Duncane has been transferred from munitions control to this work. The "Daily Chronicle's" Paris correspondent states that the Eentente Powers are beginning to realise the need for an international Grand General StaiY. The organisation of the Entente is steadily tightening •up, but it is felt that .something more is required than irregular meetings to deal with pressing matters. It is believed that further conferences have been arranged, and that a scheme of permanent consultation is being considered. The councils will probably be held in Paris. It is considered that three representatives front each of the i'our Powers will be sufficient. The Foreign Oflices of England and '■' ranee were never more intimate. The Munitions Departments have a perfect understanding with the military stalfs, and "they are working in perfect unison. SOUTH AFRICA AND EMPIRE. CAPE TOWN, November 28. General Smuts, in the course of a speech, fsaid that there is a tremendous cloud hanging over civilisation, and South Africans ;;hould bear their share in the' struggle, as part of the white race which is bleeding for ihe highest ideals of freedom. The Government would do its duty to South Africa and the Empire. Mr Burton, Minister of Railways; said that events were creating' a fuller realisation of what the bonds of Empire meant. South Africa was indis:olubly bound up in the interests of the ■Empire. She was not bound in servile ndlwsion, but to one which stood for the glorious principles of liberty. WINTER IN THE BALKANS. LONDON, November 28. A terrific blizzard is raging in the district in the Balkans where the allied headquarters are. Correspondents state that the snow is. ; lying deep, and the men have been plunged abruptly into a fierce winter. Only a few can be billeted in the mountain villages, and the remainder are compelled to .shelter in the trenches, a few having tents nnd dug-out. Where these tents have been exposed they have been blown to pieces. The blizzard has made transport more dillicult. Neither side can see the other's trenches across the valleys. This early winter is the most severe Tor 10 years.