COMPULSION BILL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2664, 8 January 1916, Page 5

COMPULSION BILL

LONDON PRESS COMMENTS By ToleKrftpli—Press Association— Copyright London, January G. The "Daily Mail" says that tho Derby campaign shows that a clear majority of the manhood of the nation is in favour of compulsory service. The "Mail" hopes that the House of Commons will show its old patriotism and public spirit. Tho people now manoeuvring against Mr. Asquith's pledge arc .those who favoured neutrality at the outbreak of war. The "Times," in a leader, says that the predominating feeling of all classcs is that Lord Derby's iigures entirely justify the Government in introducing compulsion. It is a gratifying fact that, after fifteen months of volunteering, a further 3,000,000 men offered themselves. This would bo impossible in any other country in the wprld. Nevertheless, 2,000,000 men Jiava not offered themselves. The "Pall Mall Gazetto" 6ays that the statement ill the Derby report that ic is impossible to call up the married men until the unattested unmarried men have been compelled to enlist is undeniable. Lord Derby's statement that the canvass had proved most distinctly that it was not want of courage that was holding back tlio men, but principally a desire that all should bo equally compelled to serv.e the country, was gratifying. Lord Derby's demand that unmarried men should be removed from munition, and other industries, and replaced by older married men, would be- generally accepted. t The "Standard says that the most comforting featuro of the report is Lord Derby's statement that the country has been proved determined to support Mr. Asquith's no-peace pledge, and is determined .to seo tho war through to a successful conclusion. TRADE UNION CONGRESS VOTE AGAINST .COMPULSION CARRIED. London, January 6. The Trade Union Congress has opened at Westminster to discuss a motion a/Firming the Bristol resolution against conscription, and deploring tho disunifyiug actions of tho conipuisionists, and recognising that Mr Asquitli's pledge is governed by the results of Lord Derby's scheme, though these have not yet justified tho Compulsion Bill. The Congress concluded that Labourites should bo left to vote individually as they thought fit. Mr. J. Hodge, M.P., in moving tlia resolution, said he considered that voluntaryism had not failed,. Still, the only alternative to the Government Bill would bo a genoral election on the issuo of conscription, which would be one of the worst days in the Labour Party's history. Mr. Loxton, in seconding tlie motion, said the war must be won 1 outright. "The Government's proposal," ho said, "is most flabby, Everyone will'eventually find that he possesses a conMr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., said they must ignore the threat of., a general ojection. He would refuse to carry out an instruction to support the Bill. Mr. Thomas added; ''A general election would be a N crime against those serving in tho trenches and Laboui. ■. If an election is forced, would wo admit that only Labour could bo. conscripted and not wealth? Conscription is not wanted to win the war, but for ulterior ends."

Mr. W. C. Anderson, M.P., said there was behind tho Bill a conspiracy intermixed wit.!) pei'sb.i;al ambition. Mr. A, Henderson, M.l\, Leader of the Labour Party; said that if the congress decided that he must oppose tho Bill, ho would refuse to do so, and would ask his constituents to endorse his action. Mr; Henderson continued: "Wo liavo reached a crisis in the history of tho nation, a greater crisis in history than our own movement. There are people in tho audicnco who would like to seo us win tho war, and there «ro antiwarites. Lord Kitchener- wanted by llio spring thirty thousand recruits a week, also thirty, thousand a week to tho end of tlw year, or a total of a million aiid a half. Would the conference place its opinion against that of Lord Kitchener?" Mr. Henderson added: "I would rather face a by-elec-tion than oppose the Bill." Mr. F. Snowden: "Conio to my coiv stituoncy aud light tho issue I" After many interruptions and heated exchanges, Mi': Henderson said: "Is thero a man who dare vote for releasing tho 500,000 attested married men? Had I left my colleagues ill tho Cabinet it would have meant breaking tho coalition!" Mr. Ramsay Macdonald said it was impossiblo to have conscription of unmarried men without the married. He opposed compulsion and opposed tho Bill. The conference, by 1,098,000 votes to 783,000, adopted an amendment reaffirming tho decision of tho Bristol Congress, and unanimously protesting in the namo of thieo million organised workers against compulsion, characterising Government proposals as economically disastrous to the life of tho nation, anil rcconimonding Parliament to oppose tho measure iu all its stages. ACRIMONIOUS SCENES.

'ANXIETY IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Rec. January 7, 8.40 p.m.) London, January 6. The Labour Congress was marked by acrimonious scenes.. It was held in the. great Central Hall, which was crowded with a thousand delegates representing four hundred unions. The result of tho vote was awaited i with anxiety in the House of Commons. At the conclusion of the Congress the Parliamentary Labour Party met privately and discussed the result. The lailwaymen's amendment Was felt, in view of Mr. Henderson's speech, as likely to be serious. There was a great sensation when it was announced that Mr. G. H. Roberts, Junior Lord of the Treasury, Mr. W. Brace, and Mr. A. Henderson had resigned. (Rec. January 7, 11.45 p.m.) London, January 7. Tho Labour Conference's amendment favouring national service during the war was negatived by 1,580,000. Mr. Bellamy, the Railwaymen's delegate, said: "Probably some would ask how will you oppose compulsion? Are you going to strike?" His answer was: "Wait and see.", Mr. Havelock Wilson said if Mr. Asquith'9 pledgo had not been given, re.cruiting would have been less satisfactory. If the pledge was not carried out there would bo grave dissension in the country. He believed the unattested single men. belonged to the middle ' Tho prooeedings were punctuated with uproar. COOD ENOUCH FOR AUSTRALIANS (Rec. January 7, 11.45 p.m.) London, January 7. The "Daily Chnoniclo" interviewed Sir Georgo Reid, who said that Lord Kitchener's, Mr. Asquith's, and' Mr. Bonar Law's assurances that compulsion will bo necessary to bring tho war ta a successful conclusion is good enough for Australians, if not for others.

PROSPECTS OF THE BILL j AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY, f "Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) I (Rcc. January 7, 5.5 p.m.) | London, January 0, The furliwipjitary corress jwttdcuif «, division jwll HJKJW m_,

overwhelming majority for the Compulsion Bill. The Nationalists arc the only party committed to oppose it. Labour is divided, and the malcontent Liberals will makp a deal of noise, but tlicy carry no guns. The "no compulsion" meeting arranged for Wednesday was a disappointment, only a dozen members turning rip. Tlio minority on Thursday's division may muster a hundred votes. The number of exemptions is surprising. Even if the Bill is passed this week it will he six weeks before actual compulsion applies.

BILL IN PARLIAMENT

FIRST READING.DEBATE Br Telezrapli—Press Association—CoDyrielit (Rec. January 7, 8.40 p.m.) London, January 6. Mr. H. Samuel, Postmaster-General, speaking in the Compulsion Bill debate, said the fact that six millions had volunteered was the greatest vindication of democracy in history, but he inust support tho Bill against his convictions, because of the hard facts. Mr. Runciman had estimated that a million more men could be spared from industrial life, therefore they ought to be sent to the front. _ ' Mr. J. Robertson said Mr. Asqiuth, in giving tlio pledge, spoke on.bebalf of tho House of Commons, wlio had acquiesced, and therefore shared the responsibility. There was no reason to fear that it would result in universal conscription. Mr. I'. Alden did not believe the Bill would raise the men necessary to decide the war. There was the possibility that it would alienate the support of a million munition workers, transport workers, and miners upon whom the nation is dependent. Colonel Ward said that a third of the labour men were cither in tho trenches or preparing to go there, consequently it was impossible to say tlie Labour Conference represented the opinion of the majority of tho trado unions. Mr. J. A. Campbell (Dublin University). speaking on Sir Edward Carson's behalf, protested that Ireland's sion was an injustice and a slur. The Empire's difficulty was Ireland's opportunity. If the- Nationalists could reconcile their political ambitions with the decision to throw in their lot with' their fellow-subjects in Britain, and consenting to Ireland's inclusion in the Bill, they would have done. more for tho realisation of their ' hopes and ideas than for tho last twenty years. Mr. G. N. Barnes (Labour) said he Intended to vote for the Bill) to redeem the pledge, although lie was aware.lns constituency opposed it. He had just concluded a mouth's visit to the West) front, and lie was of opinion that tliero would not have been such large casualties if all the young men had done their duty. Mr. A. J. Balfour (First Lord of tlio Admiralty) said that tho debate had disclosed an unalterable determination to advance the interests of the Empire and of the Allies. He feared that a division would do harm "within and without Britain, but impartial critics would realise that never had a moro unitec* l'ront been shown. He repudiated the suggestion that the Bill was the. thin end of tlio wedge for future conscription. It was intended for the present occasion only. The exclusion of Ireland was not an insult. Ireland was 'outsido Mr. Asquith's pledge. Every member of the Government believed the Bill was a military necessity. There was danger in tlie feature that we might bo inclined to rely too much in i'lie bcliof that we can call armies from tho ground by a wavo of the wand. Recent achievements might delude us with false security ' that a : similar miracle will again, be possible. The oppoueuts oi the Bill couvcy to our enemies and foreign Powers that we area divided nation. FIRST READING CARRIED FOUR TO ONE MAJORITY.' (Press Association.—Extraordinary.) (Rec. Jauiiary 7, 4.15 p.m.) London, January 7. Tho first reading of the Compulsion Bill was carried by 403 to 105. details of the voting. DIVISION RECEIVED WITH CHEERS. (Rec. January 7, 11.45 p.m.) London, January 7. Thoro was a crowded House and tlio division was received with cheers and counta-clieers. Thirty-one Liberals, including Mr. Rtuiciman (President of the Board of Trade), Mr... John Burns, and Sir John Simon, voted with tho minority. Twelve Labour members, including Mr.'6. N. Barnes, Mr. Ward, Mr. J. Hodge, and Mr. C. W. Bowerman supported tho Bill. Mr. A. Henderson, Mr. W. Brace, Mr. G. H. Roberts, and the O'Brienites did not vote.

DELAY URGED. 'A GOOD SUGGESTION. (Ilec. January 7, 11.50 p.m.) London, January 7.. The "Daily News" and the "Daily Chronicle" urge delay in compulsion in ordel- to avoid disunion. The "Daily Chronicle" suggests that the Bill should compel bachelors t-o appear before tribunals find give Teasons for not attesting. RECRUITINC reopens, ■ ON MONDAY MORNING. (lleo. January 7; 8.40 p.m.) "" London, January 6. Recruiting under Lord 'Derby's scheme reopens oil Monday. labour members retire from THE MINISTRY. London, January 6. Mr. A. Henderson (President of the Board of Education, and who advises the Government on Labour questions), Mr. G. H. Roberts (a Junior Lord of the Treasury), and Mr. W. Brace (Un-der-Secretary for Home Affairs) have resigned.'

EXPLANATIONS TO FOLLOW, (Rec. January 8, 0.25 a.m.) London, January 7. Mr. Henderson will explain in the House of Commons on Tuesday why lie and his colleagues resigned from the Cabinet. , Twelve Labourites supported th 6 Compulsion Bill. The minority included 'H Liberals and 48 Nationalists.