BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16167, 22 March 1918, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

OUTPUT OF SHIPS. POSITION REVIEWED BY FIRST LORD. (Australian and Jtf.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 21st, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. In the House of Commons Sir F.ric Ceddes (First Lord of the Admiralty) ( stated that the British losses during the war period amounted to 20 per cent. The world's tonnago had fallen 21 per cent. The actual world's sinkings for the year ended January were, roughly, 6,000,000 tons, whereas Germany claimed to have sunk 9,500,000. Britain in the fourth quarter of 1917 constructed 420,000 tons, and the allies and neutrals 512,000 tons. The world's shipping losses in> the fourth quarter of last year amounted to 1,200,000 tons. This was the lowest quarter during the war, but the current quarter -would probably be lower. The British losses in the same quarter averaged 260,000 tons monthly, and British shipbuilding 140,000 tons monthly. Although the figures were reassuring the January and February results wore disappointing. He hoped with, confidence that tho country realised the need for supremo effort. The world's ocean-going tonnage at the beginning of the war. excluding enemy tonnage, was 33,000,000 tons. Referring to the percentage of losses Sir Eric Geddes said that tho reason for the great losses of British shipping was mainly due to submarinism, which was specially directed against Britain with the object of starving us. Ho declared that it was well within the capacity of the Allied yards—and even the British yards before very long —with a proper supply of material nud man-power, to replace entirely the world's losses.

On present figures the output of now British tonnage in 1915-16 -eras very low, and before tho intense submarinism began we were over 1,300,000 tons to the bad. At present 47 large British shipyards were wholly engaged in the construction of ocean-going merchantmen. Wo had also enormously increased the output of repaired tonnage. The present need was for skilled labour. Wo were gradually getting skilled men from tho Army, and 1800 skilled and unskilled workers had returned to the shipyards up to March 18th, and 885 others were demobilising. The difficulties were gradually being overcome, and ho believed that the problem was in a fair way to solution. Sir Eric Geddes confirmed the appointment of Lord Pirrie as Controller of General Merchant Shipping, under the First Lord of the Admiralty. Lord Pirrie, ho said, was not a member of the Board of Admiralty, but he wouid have direct access to tho Premier and the War Cabinet on shipping questions.

POST-WAR PROBLEMS. (By Cable.—Pross Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 20. An important conference has begun at the Mansion House of 30 leagues and committees of trado unions interested in post-war land settlement in Great Britain and the Dominions. It was resolved to urge the Government to deal immediately with the settlement of soldiers, sailors, and others as a national and Imperial enterprise. The items under discussion include proposals that the Imperial and Dominion _ Governments should co-operate in raising loans for railways and advances to settlers, the encouragement of land investment, and the establishment of a central emigration department. UNRULY INTO AN TRIBESMEN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) LONDON, March 20. The Press Bureau states that the attitude of the Naris tribe in Beluchiitan is unsatisfactory. They have committed numerous outrages against telegraphs, trains, and Government property, and attacked our posts at Gumbaz and Fort Munro. They were repulsed with heavy casualties, but are still defiant. Punitive measures have now been ordered.

Beluchisian is in Southern Asia. It is boundt>d on tho north by Afghanistan, on the east by Sind, on the south by tho Arabian Sea, and on the west by tho Persian province of Kerman. Tbo"frontier towards Afghanistan is seldom anywhere clearly defined, but that towards India is more carefully laid down. TTio area is about 130,000 square miles, and enn is estimated at some • j Bcluchistan is, in a somewhat indefinite manner, under the authority of the Khan of Kelat, who, with a revenue of about £30,0C0, maintains an army of 3000 men. This petty sovereign haying acted treacherously towards tho British army during tho Afghan campaign of 1839, his royal city was taken by storm. I n 1841 it was again captured for temporary occupation by tno British. In 1877 Eng'and obtained by treaty with the Khan the right of permanently occupying; Quetta (which was annexed with his consent in 1837), and of having a political agent at Kelat. And the* Khan practicallv became a feudatory of tho Indian lUmpire, and placed his territory at the disposal of

the British Government for .all military and strategical purposes, gaining by its moral support a prestige that has made his authority more respectod by the semi-independent chiefs of the pastoral tribes. In 1593 the reigning Khan was deposed by tho British, and his son peacefully proclaimed in his stead. MISCELLANEOUS CABLES. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.* LONDON, March 2a. The Coal Controller has decided to i on the gas and electricity supply, and also to reduce the household coal ration. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 21st, 8.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. The complete figures for the ballot taken by the Miners' Federation indicate a majority of 21)00 against tho '"comb-out" proposals of the Government. The vote was small, there being many abstainers. ("The Times.") ('Received March 21st, 8.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. In view of the "comb-out'' decision, the Miners' Federation delegates are privately conferring with a view to reconsidering the man-power question. The majority arc in favour of using the Federation's machinery in order to iind the required 50,000 men.

THE ALLIES. INDUSTRIAL CONSCRIPTION IN FRANCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 21st. 8.25 p.m.) PARIS, March 20. In order to provide workers for the land the Government is mobilising men 'between the ages of 15 and 50 who aro not engaged in national occupations.