NATIONAL SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2568, 16 September 1915, Page 5

NATIONAL SERVICE

THE AGITATION AT HOME QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE Br Telegraph.—Press Association-Copyright London, September' 14. On the motion for the adjournment of the House of Commons, Mr. Dillon (Nationalist) referred to a manifesto which members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons now serving with the colours were extensively signing, urging the Government to take up national service. Mr. Dillon urged that it was contrary to practice for officers on active service to address a 'manifesto to the newspapers dealing with, matters ;of political controversy. If this' were tolerated he would ask for similar facilities for officers and men objecting to conscription. . The Government should be trusted to the extent of having their discretion unfettered in this matter. Mr. Hodge (Labour) hoped tike Government would not give way to : the clamour, which was doing great dissorvice to the country. Sir H. J. Dalziel (Liberal) thought that the present situation was due to the lack of information given the' public. ; Sir F. Banbury (Unionist) said that it was evident that discussion was absolutely necessary. Captain P. E. Guest (Liberal), on behalf of the conscriptionists, said he, intended to insist on a discussion. He had things to say which had been .left i unsaid over-long. • . \ _ Prime Minister Declines to be Drawn. Mr. Asquitli deprecated _ a sporadic,' desultory debate. Replying to suggestions for a secret session, he said ho was without any indication that members of the House of Commons desired this. Replying to Mr. Dillon, Mr. Asquithi said ho thought it unfair, and contrary, to tho public interest to silence members who were serving the country gallantly, and v/lio resumed their seats when. they had short leave from the front. Mr. Asquith concluded: "This matter has not escaped the Government's attention. (Cheers and laughter.) When the Government, without undue delay and with the due deliberation which the gravity of the subject demands, has arrived at its conclusions, I they will he presented to • the House, 'and then becomo tho subject of ParI liamentary discussion."

SPEECHES BY POLITICAL LEADERS CARPING CRITICISM DEPRECATED ' London, September 14. Lord Haldano (ex-Lord Chancellor), speaking at Dundee, compared the resources of tlie Allies with those of the Central Powers with respect to popula- • tion, wealth, and learning. He said: "If we put them into shape we should: take up the advantage which the enemy, secured by choosing his own moment for the war. Don't let us wash our daily linen in public or c'arp at admirals, generals, or tho Government.It is a crime to embarrass them by starting new hares." Ho entirely, agreed with tlie passion which Mr. Lloyd George had put into his last speech, and the appeal he had made to the people to unite themselves and realise the situation. Referring to compulsory service, Lord Haldane said he had fought a stiff bat-tie for the reorganisation of the Army on a volunteor basis, but if the Government gave their strong opinion that for the saving of the country the voluntary system was old-fashioned he wc.ukl not raiso a finger against them. But he wanted tho Government, not the newspapers, to say it. MORE MEN ARE WANTED. Mr. Lewis Harcourt (First Conimis-, sioner of Works), speaking at Rawtenstall, said there was nothing depressing in the Allies' situation. Recruiting, on the whole, was satisfactory. Were he at liberty to give the numbers that had enlisted since the outset of the war it would stagger people, but still more were wanted. WHEELS WSS WHEELS WHAT IS BEHIND THE AGITATION? (Rec. September' 15, 10 p.m.) London, September' 14. The "Daily Chronicle" (Liberal) says! "Nobody acquainted with politics; will have-any difficulty in seeing that most of the advocates of conscription have quite other things in their mind's eye than tho war needs of tho nation."