GENERAL ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1915, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS.

TRADE AFTER THE WAR. Sill GEORGE REID'S OPINIONS. London, Dec. 20. At a meeting of members of the Australasian Chamber of Commerce, Sir George Reid. presiding, said: "When peace comes the treatment of German commerce cannot be the same as before the war. Our closer relation with the Allies will make trade freer than ever." MESOPOTAMIA CAMPAIGN. Wellington, Dee. 21. The High Commissioner reports, under date London, December 20, S.-IO p.m.: General Townshend reports that in his estimation the Turks lost 25U0 in the rearguard action on December 1, and in the abortive attack on his position at Kutelamara on the night of the 12th and 13th. THE GERMAN FLEET. Amsterdam, Dec. 20. The Germany Admiralty announced that a portion of the fleet searched the North Sea for the enemy without sighting anything. AUSTRIAN FORCE?; ON ITALIAN FRONT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. 4p ' London, Dec. 20. II Corriere della Sera says that the Austro-Hungarians on the Italian front number more than 500,000 men. Allowing for wastages and losses tliev probably have totalled SOO,OOO men.

NOTES FROM THE TIMES. '•THE BELLICOSE BISHOP." ■ Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received Dee. 21, !i.5 p.m. London. Dec. 20. The Bishop of London chatted with overseas soldiers at Peel House, and 'in an informal address said: "I am always waiting a mental breakdown, for the pleasure of going to Australia and New Zealand. T want all to take back the .message (lint (hoy had it good time in London.'' (Cries: "We have!") The Bishop continued: "Looking at you I am jolly well proud to think that we have such fine fellows overseas who are aide and ready to fling themselves into the Empire's battle. I am called 'the bellicose Bishop,' but. we are fighting for the freedom of (he world, and we must whack Kaiser Bill.''

LABOR AND CONSCRIPTION". Mr. Thomas, M.P., addressing the National I'nion of 'Railway Workers, said that the marvellous rush last week conclusively proved the people's unmistakenble determination to win. He hated conscription, but justice would and must he done by married men. and also single men. Who would dare to class the latter unattesting as slackers? He knew thatone railway company had refused to allow men to attest, and single men who had not yet attested ought to be given an opportunity of showing their reasons. Voluntarism had proved successful, but the eonscriptionists were anxious to thrust militarism on a free people.

THE CHANCES IX COMMAND, The Kronz Zeitnng suggests that Sir John French was out of harmony with Lord Kitchener.

The Lokal Anzcigcr says that Ihe changes are due to dissension re"-*-" Salonika.