NOTES FROM LONDON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16302, 30 November 1918, Page 3

NOTES FROM LONDON.

RESUMPTION OF TRADE. BUSINESSES WITH FIRST CLAIM By Telegraph—Press Assn.— -Copyright. LONDON, Nov. 26. The Admiralty, War Office, and Air Ministry issue reminders to the public that general demobilisation has not yet begun, and that the naval and military situation does not admit ot any general release of men from the forces; but when general demobilisation does begin, priority will be given to the officers and men who have definite employment awaiting them. However, a strictly limited number of men will uo released before general demobilisation, for pivotal industries and professions, which include agricultural machine maker's, agriculturists, bootmakers, brickmakers, cement makers, builders, minors, wharfmen, food makers, paper makers, railwayman, shipbuilders, shipbrokers, oversea commercial agents, accountants and architects.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn, and Renter. The Press Bureau, on the advice of tho Council of Post War Priority, announces that the following classes of work will have tho first claim upon war materials and producing capacity released from war work, namely, the.repair of existing machinery in the United Kingdom, tho maintenance and repair of railways, roads, and docks, tho repair of merchant shins, the manufacture of agricultural, _ mining, and textile machinery used in the public utility services of tho United Kingdom, and the manufacture of approved orders placed by tho of tho Dominions and Allies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, ’and Reuter.

SOLDIERS’ GRAVES. BODIES REMOVED TO CEMETERIES. LONDON. Nov. 28. The Press Bureau reports that the Imperial War Graves Commission has been considering tho re-burial of soldiers now in isolated graves scattered across battlefields which will shortly be re-brought into cultivation. It has been decided it is necessary to remove them to cemeteries where they can bo reverently cared for. Over 1.t0.000 isolated graves arc known in Franco and Belgium, notably on the Yprcs and Somme battlefields, where they are thickly strewn over a space of several miles in length and breadth. Any other course would be excessively painful to the i-clativos and unfair to the landholders. Volunteers from among tho comrades of the fallen will carry out the re-burials under chaplains.

There are overwhelming reasons against tho exhumation of bodies for removal to tho soldiers’ native countries, and it would be contrary fo tho principle of equality of treatment for the few who could afford the expense. Tim task of emptying 400,000 graves would be colossal.

The Imperial War Graves _ Commission has decided upon the prineijilc of uniform headstones for_ marking the graves of all ranks, and is pointing out to those who anticipated supplying a memorial of their own _ choosing the necessity of no differentiation abdfor co-operating in an action of the highest significance, namely, the cominiinitv of sacrifice.

The Commission recommends a headstone 30 inches high and 18 inches wide, bearing the fallen man’s rank, name, regiment, and date of death, the next-of-kin being ■ permitted to add throe linos of inscription.

Sir Rudyard Kipling is submitting to the Imperial War Graves Commission a. suggestion for an inscription for tho great war stono which will form the central feature in all cemeteries abroad. Ho suggested _ the following passage from Ecclesiastes: ’’Their name Hvoth for evermore.” The commission approved the recommendation. —Aus.-N.Z’. •Cable Assn, and Reuter.

ELECTION ADDRESSES. LONDON, Nov. 27. Mr. Asquith, in his election address at East Fife, condemned any tampering with the essentials of free trade. He advocated prompt Homo Rule for Ireland, and dwelt upon strengthening the ties with the Dominions. As the result of the war it was anticipated there would be stimulated an interImporial development of common resources. Mr. Church'd, in his address at Dundee, while fuTTy sympathising with the league of nations, said it Vas no substitute for the supremacy of the British Navy, which was vital to us. None of the German colonies or conquered parts of Turkey could ever bo restored.— Reuter.

DEMAND'FOR KAISER’S SURRENDER. LONDON.; Nov. 28. The Government legal heads have advised that tho Allied Governments aro either jointly or individually entitled to demand tho ex-Kaiser’s surrender. Tho decision applies to all persons who ordered or committed crimes covered hy pre-wa-r extradition treaties.—Reuter. GERMAN EXCUSES BRUSHED ASIDE. LONDON, Nov. 28. The Press Bureau states that, in response to Britain’s protest with reference to the shocking condition of released war prisoners,'the German President states that tho German'High Command is doing its utmost to-deliver the prisoners in good condition, hut the severity of the armistice conditions . presents difficulties. Britain replied: “No excuses will be accepted, and full reparation will be exacted for unnecessary suffering. If reparation in kind cannot be made it will bo made in person by the officials responsible.” The German High Command replied that the Government fully realises the seriousness of tho situation, and will do its utmost to alleviate the prisoners’ condition. The majority in the main prisoners camp in Germany have informed the British War Prisoners’ Department that they require no more food.—Australian Cable Association.

THE KING VISITS THE FORCES. LONDON, Nov. 27. The King and Princes crossed the Channel in the warship Broke. They lunched at Boulogne and then proceeded to general headq,uarters.—AusN.Z, Cable Assn.

COST OF THE WAR. CANNOT BE RECOVERED. (Received Nov. SO, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 28. Mr. Churchill, in his speech at Dundee, said that the expenses of the war could not possibly bo recovered from the Germans. All wo could get was reparation for the damage done. There was a demand for ton for ton in shipping. but Germany must be fed, therefore we might make the Germans build ships for us instead of taking ships from them. MEETING OF CABINET. LONDON, Nov. 27. Sir R. Borden and Mr. Hughes have attended two meetings of Cabinet and discussed the details of tho peace terms.—United Service. LABOUR ELECTION PROGRAMME. REVOLUTIONARY CHANGES. THE STATE TO OWN MOST THINGS

(Received Nov. 30, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27. The Labour election programme refers to Labour’s share in the_ victory and states that the democratic diplomacy expressed in Labour’s war aims has been a popular, factor in winning the war and will also be a powerful factor in rebuilding the world. Labour demands a peace of international co-oporation and opposes secret diplomacy form of economic war. It demands, as an essential part of tho peace treaty, that an international labour 'charter should be incorporated in tho structure of the League of Free People. Labour welcomes the extension ot liberty and democracy in Europe. It demands the immediate -withdrawal ot the Allied forces from Russia. The programme includes freedom for Ireland, tho abolition of conscription, the repeal of the Defence of tho Realm Acts, the nationalisation of the land, mines, railways, shipping, armaments, and electric power, free and open education for all, a million good houses, a levy on capital, and free trade Labour proposes to pay the war debt by a special tax on capital, also that those who have made fortunes out of tho war must pay for it. Tho programme concludes with a protest against a large part of the youth ot the nation being arbitrarily disfran-chised.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.