STOP PRESS NEWS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 December 1916, Page 3

STOP PRESS NEWS

1A list.Tal a-N ew Zealand Cable Service) (Keceived at Levin 1 p.m.) PATRIOTS ANiD PLAGE,SEEKERS. London, .Dec. <3J_.atc.si: news sliows that tlif political situation still is difficult. Lobby ■tjpiaion attaches great importance to the Hon. A. Bonar Law's efforts at conciliation, and there is a general expectation that the lit. Hon. H. H. Asquitli will not consent to be excluded from the War Committee. The Hon. D. ,Lloyd George .still desires to bp president of the Qommittee and of remaining in the War Ministry. E'.irl Derby, as Under-Secretary, is performing the actual work of tho War Office. The Daily Chronicle states thai the Ministerial crisis developed yesterday. There was a persistent rumour that Air Asquitli-- would resign today. Mr Asquitli has not yet abandoned his idea of reconstructing the Government, but the ..situation is not hopeful. Lloyd Gcorjre f.uid ißoiiiir Law. conjointly, have submitted proposals for a War Oo'Uiicil with executive powers, whereof the 1 nine Minister would not be a member.' but over whose decision he would have the light of veto. The War Council then would consist of Mr Lloyd George, Mr Bonar Law, Sir Edward Carson and Mi- Henderson. Though Mr Asquitli is unable to accept the proposal, lie favours a small War Council, but considers lie should be chairman, a*J that otherwise he will be placed in a humiliating position. He prefers tc resign rather than be so placed. Sir Edward Grey and Liberal Cabinet ■ members .support Mr Asquitli. It Mr Asquitli does not accept or resign, Mr Lloyd George and the Lniomst members of the tlibinet will withdraw as the only means of escaping 1 arliamentary embarrassment. Then there iron Id be a general election. I The Chronicle adds that a strong effort is being made not to saddle M> t MuKennn and Mr Ruciin'an. who dc ; sire to conserve the financial am ; shipping resources, and who according ily are opposed to an.y new military adventures overseas. i lit is .generally believed that M, Balfour shortly will (leave the Admit' alty wnd that Sir Edward Carson wil he his successor and Mr Barnes is like lv to join the Cabinet. ' The Forward Party of the House o i Commons strongly support 'Lloyd •George who favours a drastic purge ■If he whittles down his original pre posals there will be bitter disappoint ment produced and Lloyd George s in fluence will be paralysed. The ol-

1 party lines are targoly obliterated. ! I The lobby is discuss ug the chance | of the members of the H-oiisc- ot Cunt- . mons—taking it fur granted that they cou'ld jnljiist llu!.'ii.s..'lves to the ne>v j coalition as easily as they did o ts-.o • old one. j The N'ationalisus hold sternly a loci. i (Labour opinion generally is neutral. j but it endorses the projioS.sl that laboi , ! should have a larger represencat-o-i on the Governnie'it. au'l b.: more tircl.v associated wiili the dhcccioii ol the war. i j A me: ting (unofficial) or 4abera-s ; (in; -hiding Sir •). Sin on. .Si-- A. Birr.'.: and tiio Hon. iiv !:.'oHh use) attracted j about sixty members, but failed to j carry u motion < ondc lining the tr-rce< ( v. hk-li cMitiuual y sought to over- ' throw the Gcvtrnnicr.t. j NEW ZEALAND fiTEAXEII | SUXK. ■London, .December -3. To-day'» list of "linking*" includes the King-Bleddyn (British) 4387 tins: _M aki (Kehish) 1 >-1 tons; Criefrliiuloe (Norwegian) 10i7 tons; Demitriosing Vessi«c (Greek) 2088 tons; and Jiossi (Norwegian), ! 14G2 tons. • Five ol" the crew of the Ngataniaru j were killed and five wciirch-.I by | gun lire. !, IMCXSIONH 151 i. I-. j The Hou.se of C-j •im iu has pas.s:-;l j the amended Pensions Bill. i 1 jut r <■ j