Second Edition Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 33, 9 June 1915, Page 6

Second Edition Great Britain

MAKING MUNITIONS. QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS. United Pbkii Association. (Received 9.55 a.m.) London, June 8. In the House of Commons, Sir R. A. Cooper mentioned tha£ a Government War Office official Im'd consulted the Birmingham munition makers in April and encouraged,the*firms to organise in anticipation of. orders. These firms were afterwards* informed "their services were not, wanted. Sir R. A. Cooper asked whether the firm of Yickers was building a factory* at Birmingham under arrangement with the War Office.

Mr \V. H. Foister,' Under-Secretary for the War 'fJffice, said in reply that arrangements'* were being made with Birmingham firms, and one already had received an Older. He admitted that Messrs Yickers were erecting two factories in Birmingham with the War Office's approval! Sir 11. A. Cooper asked how many firms there were, in the United Kingdom who had offered to make munitions of war with whom no orders had been placed Y Mr. Korster.said that three hundred firm's in all had been invited to tender and. fifty were engaged as sub-eon tractors. He added that the British productipn of trinitrotoluol was ample for our; own use and also enabled us to assist the Allies.. ALL SPELTER REQUIRED. (Received il'2.|; 1 p.m.i ' .'' London. June 'B. It is un(l>rstjQjO(L thafc-the Munitions Committee iuil*cofnm*atHleefed all the spelter except that used for cartridges and has 'prohibited for galvanising sheets and wire except for Government purposes', MINISTER OF MUNITIONS BILL. (Receded 2.10 p.m.) London, June 8. Minister of Munitions Bill was read a third time. Sir John Simon said there was no intention by means of a xide wind to secure compulsory registration. H special powers were needed, the consent of the House would be sought. Mr Asquith said there was no sinister intent behind the Bill, which was solely directed to supplying the troops with ammunition. MINISTERS 1 SALARIES.

On the question of the Minister's salary,'.Mr Mnrkham objected to the reported!*pooling of* Ministerial satlar- / ies—-(Disorder!. Mr Asquith said he was surprised and pained if they were going to discuss how. Ministers disposed of their salaries. There was an end to alLdiscussions on public life. He absolutely declined to acknowledge the right ol the House to inquire how a Minister .spent his salary: He would never censent to hold office if such conditions prevailed. The matter dropped . MEAT FOR THE FORCES. (Received 12 V S(J p.m.) v London, June H. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Mr Runciman said no insurance ..was paid on Australian and New Zealand meat purchased by the Government. Every effort was being made ty market any_meat required for the .Allied forces without delay, and it would be handled by the firms who dealt with it, lest they disposed of it thiougli the ordinary channels.

MISCELLANEOUS. {Received 1.55 p.m.) London, June 8. Wheats is acutely depressed owing to the sharp decline in Argentine and Canadian options. The Miners' Federation vote to refer the war bonus to the Premier's settlement resulted: For, 438,000; against, 279,000. The Irish Parliamentary Party at a meeting of the House of Commons passed & resolution against conscription which it was calculated would break up the unity of the people.