BRITAIN'S PROBLEM OF WAR SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2411, 17 March 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN'S PROBLEM OF WAR SUPPLIES

POWERFUL APPEAL BY EARL KITCHENER GREAT SPEECH IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS London, March 15. Earl Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, speaking in the House of Lords, said that since he last addressed the House considerable reinforcements had been sent to France, including "the first complete divisions of Territorials to leave England. ''Our association with both our Allies on the Western front had only deepened our admiration of their tenacity, resolution, and lighting qualities.''_ Violent attacks on Warsaw, he added, had failed, and considerable concentrations of German troops in East Prussia were now well held or Bad been driven back. v Sir John French's Message of victory. Continuing, Earl Kitchener said the recent fighting had enabled them to realise how successfully the British hadtaken the offensive. Sir John French's message victory stated that the Indians showed great gallantry. From March 10 till March 13 the fighting was severe and their losses heavy, hut nothing had daunted them; their tenacity and courage wore admirable. "The Canadians," added his Lordship, "showed their mettlo and received Sir John French's warm commendation for their bravery." After referring to the defeat of the Turks in the Suez Canal, Lord Kitchener said that the operations at the Dardanelles showed the great power of the Allied Fleets, Tho Houbs might rest assured that tlia matter was well in hand. A Serious Problem—Labour and War Supplies, Referring to the industrial aspects of tho war as applied to supplies of war material, Earl Kitchener regretted that tho output of material was unequal to necessities, and was not fulfilling expectations. The large number of orders which had not yet l been completed was seriously hampering recruiting through lack of sufficient labour and the necessary plant. He. cited instances of how the men's absence from work and irregular time-keeping had led to a 6erious diminution in the output of tho factories. The Govfernment was arranging a system whereby important armament firms would como under Government control. Increased Output of the Utmost Importance, After alluding to the temptation to drink, Earl Kitchener said that unless the whole nation co-operated to supply the necessary arnaments and munitions successf d operations in various parts of the world would be seriously hampered. His attention had been called more than once to tho fact that the restrictions by trade unions had undoubtedly added to our difficulties —not in the obtaining of sufficient labour, but in making the best use of that labour. He was confident that all concerned would agree to waive restrictions during the war. ' _ ' The matter of the output of war material during the present and for ths nest two or three months caused him very serious anxiety; an increased output was of tie -utmost importance, and he hoped that the Bill about to be introduced to amend the Defence of the Realm Act would rectify, the matter. Labour, he added, might rightly ask that their patriotic work shoujd not be used to inflate the profits of the shareholders of industrial armament firms. The Government was arranging a scheme whereby industrious workmen would reap some benefits. The King had also approved of a medal for loyal workers making munitions of 'war.

KITCHENER'S SPEECH AND THE AMENDMENT BILL

"GREATEST APPEAL YET MADE TO THE COUNTRY." ■ London. March 15. \ The Marquis of Creive (Secretary of State for India) introduced the Defence of the Realm Amendment Bill. He explained that the measure was one of organisation of industry rather than the displacement of industry. The Marquis of Lansdowne (Leader of the Opposition) said Lord Kitchener's speech was the greatest appeal yet made to the people of the country, and tie country was not in 8 mood to challenge the Government's demand for the powers embodied in the Bill. The measure was read a second time. WAR SUPPLIES FROM THE UNITED STATES. , . . _ „ . „ 1 Now Yorfc, Mweh IS. It J6 stated that the Dupont Powder Company is spending a, million sterling in additbaal plant, so as to cope with the Allies' demands for munitions.