BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

PARLIAMENT RE-OPENS. THE KING'S SPEECH. GO ON TO VICTORY, London, Feb. If The King's speech, at the opening of Parliament, said: "The spirit of my allies and my people, who are united in this conflict by ever strengthening ties of sympathy and understanding, remains steadfast in the resolution to secure reparation for the victims of unprovoked and unjustifiable outrage and an effectual safeguard for all nations against the aggression of a Power which mistakes force for right and expediency for honor. With proud, grateful confidence I look to the courage, tenacity and resource of my army and navy, on which we depend worthily to perform our part in the attainment of this goal. "The only measures introduced will be such as tend to the attainment of our common object. I confidently Coinmend these to your patriotism and loyalty and pray the to give his blessings on your counsels."

FREE TRADE DISCUSSION AT MANCHESTER. Six hundred out of 1800 members attended the annual meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Hitherto the attendances have averaged one hundred. Interest was aroused by the directors' memorandum to annul the report declaring the chamber would require unmistakeable proof before it would sacrifice the free trade policy which had been productive of such beneficial results. The meeting, by a large majority, passed a resolution referring the memorandum back for reconsideration, whereupon tlie directors decided to take a ■ballot. Mr. Barclay, the president, in his speech, accused protectionists of taking an unfair advantage of war time. He deprecated reprisals, which after the war would divide Europe into two hostile camps, building up huge armaments against the day when commercial war would give place to military conflict. Other resolutions were postponed pending the ballot.

AFTER THE WAR. MR. WALTER LONG'S VIEWS. New York, Feb. 15. The Tribune publishes an interview with Mr. Walter Long, President of the Local Government Board. Mr. Long said: "After the war we shall find ourselves confronted by questions which will cut across the old party divisions; even the Parliamentary system will undergo a change. Our colonies must have further recognition and adequate representation in our councils." PANKHURST PAPER RAIDF.D. London, Feb. 13. The police raided the Women's Social and Political Union premises, in Meeklenburgh Square, and seized copies of Britannia,

AIR DEFENCES LORD FRENCH'S SCHEME. London, Feb. 15. The Daily Mail says the Government lias approved a scheme for placing the whole air defences in Viscount French's hands, except the Admiralty's seaplanes. Lord French will create a great central department at Whitehall, connected by telephone with the coastal stations. Hence will issue warnings to the country. He will also strengthen the aircraft' depots. THE wAr IN PARLIAMENT. \ PLJAY CRICKET! Receivecjt Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. j London, Feb. 15. In the Housie of Commons M:\ J. I. MaePherson (jLnbor) moved the Ad-dress-in-Keply. \He paid tribute to the heroism of the (Australasians and other colonials. "I Colonel F. S. Jackson, the well-known Yorkshire orickdtter, seconded the motion, and in doing so said he did riot believe that Britfain was capable of playing the same dijrty game as the enemy. If reprisals we/e attemped he thought we might inaki a me3s of it, and he sincerely hoped that the old British traditions of beind able to play the game would be continued. Economy seemed the only sacrifice the country was not | prepared to mafce, and if economy was i net accomplished voluntarily it (anould be eqfeKtg by. hegtolAtioik'