BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

INDIA'S LOYALTY. ATTESTED BY THE KINO* Receive* Feb. 12, 6.5 p.m. i London, Feb. 12. The King, replying to an address from Indian officers, said: "I am glad to receive in person Indian officers who have faithfully borne their share of the conflict to uphold the honor of the Indians, in this world-wide war. I welcome .your presence as a symbol of unity of the Empire, and the setting of the seal .to your heroic efforts in sacrifices in the war together with.all my other forces frbin overseas and Home. I am deeply touched by your declaration of loyalty And gratitude and your generous recognition of brotherly feeling towards your folWw-snbjects of the Empire. India, is consecrated afresh by the Wood of her sons, which has been shed far from home in a quarrel whfth, while the might Of the Empire protects India's shores, does not come near the lives and fortunes of your kith and kin. The liberties of the whole Empire are put into the scale, and, please God, India will fcnjoy these in increasing measure as she advances in the path of social unprovement and political experience." SETTLING THE SOLDIERS. SIR .RIDER ..HAGGARD'S MISSION. Received Feb. 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 1L Before Sir H. Rider Haggard sailed he MOeived a telegram from Earl Grey iiying: '•! am sorry that certain newspaper critics object to your mission. If 4he Empire is_ to continue there must be great inter-migration between England's dominions, and the settlement of vacant dominion lands with Britons will contribute to the strength and safety of 'the Empire." INCREASED TAXATION URGED, i Received Feb. 13, 5.5 pan. London, Feb. 12. The Spectator proposes a general advalorem tariff of 10 per cent., with a rcfoate of 5 per cent, on bona fide Im-perial-products, to increase the revenue /ecessary. and also an increase in taxation which will touch all classes. It is cwential to set more ships free to carry munitions and troops. fre::ch journalists in Britain.

London, Feb. 12. A party of French provincal journalists, representing ten million readers, I*B been visiting the fleet and munition areas. Hon. Herbert Samuel, on behalf of the Government, at a banquet at the Savoy Hotel, said he hoped the guests would return convinced that the Brtlsh effort Was not unworthy to rank in this mighty supreme struggle with what trance herself ia making. ABUSE OF COCAINE. "f.fr , London, FeD. li. Lv'.dence in the Folkestone Court showed that cocaine wa 9 largely used by Canadian soldiers. Forty men in one samp are suffering from the habit. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. London, Feb. 11. The Baptist Handbook shows a decline in membership of 3176, partly owing to the war. Many Anglican training colleges have been closed for the same reason. A movement is on foot to enable clergy to officiate in more than one parish.' MR. FISHER AT WORK. ""* London, Feb. 11. Mr. Fisher is investigating Hie iflcdioal arrangements and proposes to visit the Walton Hospital and inspect New Zealand's centralised system. . THE CLOSING OF MUSEUMS. ' London.. Feb. 11. Mr. Asquith refused the request of a deputation, to reconsider the closing of museums, but agreed to keep open the manuscript room of the British Museum for the use of students, and the popular side of the Natural History Museum for the use of wounded men.