CONSCRIPTION BILL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2660, 4 January 1916, Page 7

CONSCRIPTION BILL

SUPPORT OF THE MAJORITY LABOUR WILL SUPPORT THE BILL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrieht ' ' London, January 2. The majority in favour of .the' Government's Bill, which 1 restricts compulsion to the duration of the -V/ar, comprises four-fifths of the Liberal members, of the House of Commons, all the Conservative members, and most of the Labour members. Mr. G. H. Roberts and Mr. W. Brace (Labour members) will support Mr. Henderson, regarding compulsion as inevitable. It is now expected that the Labour Conference on Thursday will support the Bill. 1 . The public generally approve of it. Women are particularly incensed against shirkers. Many _ have lost husbands, brothers, or sons in the war. .Manv resent well-paid unmarried men avoiding service. Groups 6, 7, 8, and 9 in Lord Derby's scheme (23 to 26 years of age) will shortly be called up. A MINISTER'S RESIGNATION. NOT YET ACCEPTED. London, January 2. Sir John Simon's resignation has not yet been accepted. _ It is generally believed that -his decision is final. MINISTERIAL CRISIS. SIR JOHN SIMON RESIGNS. (Rec. January 3, 7.10 p.m.) London, January 3. _ Sir John Simon's resignation may possibly yet be withdrawn. Late:. Sir John Simon has resigned. BRITAIN'S FIRST OBJECT. IS TO FIGHT THE ENEMY. (Rec. January 3, 10.35 p.m.) London, January 3. Mr. J. H. Thomas, late M.P., speaking at Bournemouth, said he believed it was possible to come to an arrangement so as to avoid breaking Mr. Asquith's or any other pledge. Tho first object of Britain was to fight the enemy, and quarrel, if necessary; among ourselves afterwards. A GREAT STEP. ' BRITISH RISING TO THE OCCASION ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, Jannary 2. M. Pichon, writing in the "Petit Journal," says that the British decision is a great step in leading all the Allies to concentrate their whole strength. The "Temps" says that the English people are rising to the heights of the occasion. It is a moving sacrifice. The "Figaro" says tho resolve to conquer is unanimous. NOT INCOMPATIBLE. COMPULSION AND DEMOCRACY. ("Times" and Sydney "Suu" Services.) London, January 2. The "Daily Mail," in a leader on the conscription question, says that Australia and Now Zealand showed tho way. Their compulsory system resulted in the magnificont deeds at Anzac, which carried the name of Australasia to glory. France and Italy had proved that compulsion was compatible with democracy. CERMAN PRESS COMMENT. BRITISH EMPIRITTHREATENF.D. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. January 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 2. The Cologne "Zeitung" says: "Compulsion threatens to split tho British Umpire with domestic strife." The "Frankfurter Zeitung" says: "The British acknowledge that salvation lies only by the introduction of ttfe militarism which they arc trying to crush in Germany."