BRITAIN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16884, 4 August 1919, Page 7

BRITAIN.

FREEDOM OF LONDON CITY. PRESENTED TO MARSHAL FOCH. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 30.

Marshal Foob, in receiving the freedom of the City of London, reviewed the campaign on the Western Front, paying a tribute to the skill of the British generals, the valour of the armies, the wonderful work of the munitions staffs and the magnificent quality of the armies from the Overseas Dominions. In the great counter attacks' of August, 1918, and onwards the British troops, he said, fought with unsurpassable dash and bravery, and never stopped smashing the German machine until the armistice imposed a halt.

The King has conferred a Field-Mar-shalship on Marshal Foch;

GERMAN EAST AFRICA.". THE BLOCKADE LIFTED. • • <* LONDON, July;3l.. A Gazette notifies that the~blockade against German East Africa has - been raised from July 15., ANZAO CLUB BEING CLOSED. The New Zealand and .Australian Officers' Club in Granville Place is being closed. General "Johnstone, (a New Zealander), presiding at the officers' dinner; presented .the founder and hostess, Miss Close, with a diamond wristlet •watch as a, mark of appreciation from thousands of-Australian and New Zea land officers. .

. Miss-Close will shortly visit Australasia. ,

DEMOBILISATION AND PENSIONS LONDON. July 30. Received 5.5 p.m., August 3rd. In the House of Commons Mr Churchill said that over three million officers and men had been demobilised, and demobilisation was continuing at the rate; of five to six thousand daily. Conscription was disappearing and it would end with the Military Service Act, \mless an unforseen. catastrophe occurred. The regular army numbered 225,000, and four to fi.ro thousand volunteers were enlisting weekly.

The House agreed to the Army vote.

As a result of tlio increased scale of pensions the expenditure for tho year will 'oc ninety-six millions. Under the guillotine resolution the House voted 460 millions for supplies, without discussion. A WAR MEMORIAL. The Government has decided that the Lutyeuse centotaph. to the glorious dead which formed part of the Peace decorations, shall' be re-erected at Whitehall permanently in marble. SOLDIERS' PAY. The '"Daily Telegraph" states that privates' pay will shortly be 2s a day, rising to 43 when the soldier is efficient. Pay of other ranks will be increased proportionately.