Empire.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1917, Page 1

Empire.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) ,

LONDON, Feb. 22. In the House of Commons, the Hon Waite) - Long asked whclier tbe Government would discourage the use ol tho word “Empire” because it implied military domination. Mr Donar Law replied in tho negative, and said that the word “Empire’ did not necessarily mean military despotism. Hn. Mr Hope stalled that the obstacles in the way of exchange of civilian prisoners were hitherto insurmountable, and the idea wa's that a general exchange had been abandoned. Hon. Mr. Hope stated that the ob> Service Bill said he did not propose to close down non-essential trades, l ilt he was limiting the amount of labour.

Home Rule

LONDON, Feb. 22. In the House of Commons, Mr BonarLa"' announced that the Irish debate would not be hold next week. Mr Heid, M.F., gave notice of motioih ; n view of the necessity of strengthening the hands of the Allies at this critical state that the House is unable to ■discuss Home Hide or other domestic legislation which would unavoidably excite acute differences of opinion.

Cattle Raising

LONDON, Fob 22

Mr. C. B. Stanton asked the Hon. [Long to appoint a Committee with the'view of cattle raising in Queensland, Now Zealand, South Africa Nigeria to prevent American and other trusts cornering meat, and to prevent these trusts from securing more land in our Colonies for cattle raising. The Hon. Long said it was impassible to constitute such a Committeewfthou the assert and co-operation of the Dominion Governments. y Ho was fully alive to its importance and ho anticipated that tho' question would be discussed at the Imperial Conference.

No Compulsion

LONDON, Fob. 23

In tho Commons the Hon. Cave added that the Government could not, and would not, use any powers in the Bill to introduce Indusrial Compulsion. Men and women piust be found to supply muntons, otherwise, the Army would fail.In drawing un tho schedule it was not essential to include trades wherein new labour was forbidden. Mr. P .A. Molteno moved the rejection of the Bill empowering Industrial Conscription, and said the Governments pledge ought to he embodied in the Bill. The lion. Cave .consented to this amendment and the motion was wit, drawn. Tho Bill therefore passed its second reading.

Arrested

LONDON. Feb. 23,

Twelve arrests under the Defence of the Realm Act in Dublin, Limerick and Galway include the following rebels who were released after the Raster rebdlUjin :—Darrell Figgis, author; Do O’Kelly, Dublin; Councillor George Ni.eo’ls; the coroner of West Galway; and Patrick Thornton, an ex- National School teachel. The prisoners were handed over to the military and confined in Dublin barracks.

French Report.

LONDON, Feb. 22.

A French commmiiqpe reports that German patrols north-east of. Nieport were dspersed by our arftllery on the right of the Meuse and the sector of Pepper liill. There is nothing 'to report elsewhere.