BRITISH PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2697, 17 February 1916, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

THE KING'S SPEECH A NOTE OP CALM KESOLUTION (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) London, February 15. The King, in his Speech at the opening of Parliament, said: "The spirit of my Allies and my people, who are united in this conflict by ever-strengthen-ing ties of sympathy and understanding, remains steadfast in the resolution to secure reparation for the victims of unprovoked and unjustifiable outrage, and au effectual safeguard for all uations ligainst the aggression of a Power i\ Inch mistakes force for right, and expediency for honour. With proud and grateful confidence, S I look to the courage, tenacity, and resourco of tuv Navy and Army, 'on which wq depend to worthily perform our part in the attainment of this goal. ' "The only measures to be introduced will be such as tend to the attainment of our common object. I confidently commend these to your patriotism aDci loyalty, and pray Almighty God to give His. blessings on your counsels." Mr. MasPherson, in moving the Ad-dress-iu-Reply, paid a tribute to the heroism of the Australasians and other colonials. Colonel Jackson, the well-known cricketer, seconded the address. He said ha did not believe that Britain was capable of playing the same dirty game as the enemy. If reprisals were attempts cd he thought wo would make a mess of it. He sincerely hoped the . old liritish traditions as to being able to play the game would be continued. Economy seemed to be the only sacrifice the country was unprepared to make. If economy was not voluntary it should be enforced by legislation.

AN ARMY OF FIVE AND A-HALF MILLIONS

New York, February 15. Mr. Edmond Bristol, a Canadian M.P., has returned from a visit to .England. He told an interviewer that there are one and a half million British troops in France, three million ready in Britain, and another million drilling. Mr. Bristol said that General Watson told him that Lord French, before returning to England from the Western front, said to him: "Cheer up, Genoral. You will, be sailing some time in July." BETTER TRAINED TROOPS VAST ALDERSHOT BEHIND THE . LINES. London, February 15. Reuter'e representatives at British Headquarters states: —A year ago the drafts from Home were nearly always sent promptly to the trenches, because the enemy outnumbered us everywhere. No* wo substantially outweigh them, and the new drafts, when they come, are able to completo their training within sound of the war. The level stretches of Flanders, for miles behind tho lines, have been- transformed into a vast Aldershot, whore field exercises and manoeuvres arc carried out tirelessly. The front line, supports, and reserves are only a proportion of our field armies. The remaining legions are always training and learning something new in warfare. It has been found that constant training is the best kind of rest from the trenches and billets, and that nothing so preserves the fitness jof the : men. A DUTCH IMPRESSION BRITAIN'S TRIPLE STRENGTH. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) , London, February 15. A Dutch correspondent who visited the British front states:—"Germany has excellent reasons to hate Britain, for her triple—military, financial, and naval—strength cannot be exhausted. The easy surrender of numerous Germans crying -'Camorad!' has impressed us. No Briton fears a German attack ; every intimation of a fresh German attempt to reach Calais produces laughter along tho line. Whenever an inhabited place is shelled the British Tommies' first care is for the safety of the women and children."

ON THE DAY OP RECKONING . Sydney, February 16. Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, at a journalists' luncheon, said that Germany was in a bad way,. She was holding territory it was impossible for her to keep. Ho trembled for the future of the Howhen the Gorman people know .the truth concerning their enormous losses. PARLIAMENTARY LABOUR PARTY (""Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. February 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 15. The Parliamentary Labour Party hak elected Mr.. Henderson (President ol the Board of Kducation) as its chairhmn for the period of the war, and Mr.'G. Wardlo, M.P. (editor of the "Railway Review") vice-chairman.