POLITICAL SITUATION IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2655, 29 December 1915, Page 5

POLITICAL SITUATION IN BRITAIN

. , ASSUMING A CRISIS CONSCRIPTION THE, BONE OF CONTENTION Teleerapli—Press Association—Oopyriirht . / ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. (Rec. December 28, 5.6 p.m'.) London, December 27. The politioali situation is rapidly assuming a crisis, a section of Ministers demanding a foi-tniglit's extension of Lord Derby's scheme, hoping tliat the single men who fail to enlist would then be a negligiblo quantity, It .is b!elieved this scction includes the- following:—- . Sir Edward Grey,' Foreign' Secretary. Marquis of Crewe, lord President of the Council, ' Mr. W. Ruriciman, President of the Board of Trade. Sir Stanley Buckmaster, Lord Chancellor. ' Mr. Reginald M'Kenna, Chancellor of the_ Exchequer. Sir J. A. Simon, Secretary for Home Affairs. Mr. Augustine Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland. Mr. T. Mackinnon Wood, Solicitor-General for Scotland. Mr. L. V. Harcourt, First Commissioner of Works. ' Mr". Henderson, President of this Board of Education. The conscriptionisrts are:— _ _ Mr. Bonar Law, Secretary of State for the Colonies. ■ Mr. Lloyd George, Minister for Munitions. . Lord Curzon; Lord of the Privy Seal. Lord Selborne, President of the Board of Agriculture. Mr. A. J. Balfour, First Lord of the Admiralty is undecided. Mr. Bonar Law declared that a- general election was unthinkable, but a large section of members is definitely working to bring about an appeal to the country, arguing that it would educate the public to the war situation, bring in sufficient new. mon, and break down the corrupt party system. MR. LLOYD GEORGE INSISTS ON CONSCRIPTION. (Rec. December 28, 8.50 p.m.) London, December 28. The "Daily Mail" states that Mr. Lloyd George insists on the compulsion of the single men, and threatens to resign unless Mr. Asquith's pledge is renewed. .. . WILL CONSCRIPTION FURNISH THE MEN NEEDED i■. ("Times"- mi Sydney "Sun" Services. (Rec, December 28, 5,5 p.m.) London, December 27. < Colonel,Repington, the "Times" military correspondent, says: "When Shr. Asquith announces Lord Derby's results, and the defining of the Government policy thereon we will' know whether Cabinet proposes to win or loso the war. Lord Derby's pledge to the married men, and the long list of reserved trades and occupations' makes it doubtful whether even, compulsion will give us tho men needed." s ' • A SPECIAL' CABINET MEETING TO BE HELD. , London, December 27. A special meeting of the Cabinet, at which Lord Kitchener will be present, will be held on Monday to consider Lord Derby's report. It is understood that Mr. Asquith will make a statement to the House of Commons-on the result of the campaign, possibly after the Christmas iecess. . ' V