BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16161, 15 March 1918, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE WAR OUTLOOK. WORST HAS LONG SINCE PASSED. (By Cable. —Press Association.— CopyrishU (Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, March 13. The War Cabinet's history tor IJI7 was issued to-day. It is an importan historical record, and also shows the tremendous labours and achievements ot the Government. It emphasises that ihe whole character of the war gradually clitinged last yeur ; involving a complete transformation British administration and organisation. Regarding the submarine campaign, the document iranklv admits that- if the enemy had been able to maintain the rate "of sinking reached in February. 1917, the military operations of the Allies -would largely have been paralysed. The Navy, howevor, had triumphed. Tho document contains much to give confidence that the worst- has lontr since passed. The document deals fully wit.i Imperial affairs, tho Imperial War Cabinet, the War Conference, and tho constitutional development of ljidia. THE SHIPBUILDING PROBLEM. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 13. In the House ol' Commons, Dr. T. J. McNamara (Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty) appealed to tho House not. to support tho idea of taking the shipbuilding out of tho Admiralty's hands. IE ivould b© a. fatal mistake to put the matter back into the melting-pot. The dislocation and delay would be grave. He appealed to all to do their utmost. Ho announced a reorganisation of tho shipbuilding department. Collard takes charge of the National Shipvards. Sir Thomas Bell is to bo director, Mr John Brown has' charge of ship repairs and the construction of auxiliary ships for the Navy, and Mr James Liuigow deals with morchant construction in private yards. The shipbuilding employers and the shipyard employees issued a joint statement after to-day's conference, with a view to showing their realisation of the serious shipbuilding position. Thoy state that on Januarv 2nd the Prime' Minister, replying to their deputation, announced that the various shipbuilding departments would be co-or-dinated. A joint reply has boon sent, advocating the unification of the departments, and asking that a joint committee of masters and men bo consulted before action is taken affecting the industry generally. The statement concludes by expressing the belief that construction would have been speeded if the joint recommendations had been adopted, and offering loyal support in order to secure tha largest possible output of' ships.

AWARD'S TO NEW ZEALANDERS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) LONDON, March 13. A bar to the Military Medal has been awarded to the following New Zeinlanders :— Sergeant H. M. Hooper. Machine-gunner F. W. Maindonnld. ARTILLERY. Gunner J. H. Wilson. Corporal L.- R. Sands. Gunner G. Gilbert. Military Medals have boon awarded to 43 New Zealanders in tffe infantry. FUTURE OF SPITZBERGEN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) . LONDON, March 13. The Royal Geographical Society passed a resolution pointing out to Mr Balfour the importance of safeguarding British interests in Spitzbergen and tho extensivo deposits of steam coal. The Society pointed out that British, subjects already possessed large interests there. Mr Balfour replied that the question of Spitzbergen must be discussed with several foreign Governments, but the British interests would be well home in mind. SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS PENDING. (Australian and N.Z. Cublo Association.) (Received March 14th, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 13. Sir Compton Rickett, addressing the Free Church Congress, said that the Premior at present needed the nation's undivided support. Decisions of the utmost gravity, affecting the whole future life of tho Empire, would be taken during the next week, even during tho next few days. Ho was not spnaking of any immediate, or catastrophic, but of something which must be faced. The decision between the Entente and the was hanging in the balance, and a solution might come niore rapidly than they thought. It is noteworthy that Sir Compton Rickett had just como from conversing with Mr Lloyd George. LEAGUE OF NATIONS PROPOSAL. (Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association.) (Received March 15th, 12.25 a.m.) LONDON, March lb. Mr Lloyd Goorgo, speaking at tha Free Church Conference at tho City Tompie, replied to criticisms contained in sjme recent spo-hos, notably the charge that the Government hud nob attached sufficient importance to the League of Nations movement. Tnc Premier declared that such a League could not be obtained by calling for it. The Bolsheviks thought it could, and allowed tho army to disorganisod, with a result that they lost balf their own nation. .There was no warmer advocate of a Leaguo of >ations than the Kaiser, but his idea was a L2aguo headed by Germany. Unless tho Allies' war aims wero realised, a League of Nations would bo a sham, but if their ideals were realised, the League would be an established fact. The Premier deprecated harassing criticisms of tho Government, and asked for fair play.