Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 11 October 1916, Page 5

Great Britain

| r NATIONAL GUAR!). i j PROPOSAL TOR HOME DEFENCE Press Association—Copyright, i lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.115 a.in.) London, October 10. The Daily Chronicle proposes the formation of a National Guard ol 1400,000 men over forty-one years of j age for Home Defence to relieve 400,iOOO under 41 for service abroad. The National Guard might be raised voluntarily if. an absolutely firm undertaking is given that they will be exempted from all future liability to serve abroad, but failing a voluntary response, there must be compulsion. MORE IRISH REBELS. REVIVAL OF REPUBLICANISM. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, October 10. Tile Daily Express states that though there are fewer Sinn Reiners in Ireland than there were before the rebellion, there are more .rebels. This is due to the revival of the Irish'Republican Brotherhood, which organised the rebellion of 1867. The members to-day solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, to do their utmost at every risk, while life lasts, to make Ireland an independent, democratic republic. The bitter antiEnglish feeling which flamed up after the rebellion has given the Brotherhood a new lease of life. There are a hundred circles in Dublin alone, and tbout two thousand members in Belfast. Meanwhile, Mr Redmond’s party is largely discredited.

BILL AND BROTHER JOE I .ROUND OF ENTERTAINMENTS interviews and press comment. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, October 9. Mr Massey and Sir Joseph W ard had a host of callers, Mr Bonar Law, iu an hour’s visit, discussed various subjects. The Empire Parliamentary Association will entertain the visitors at the House of Commons on Thursday, Mr Bonar Law presiding. The Pall Mall' Gazette says there are no favorites in the Imperial family, but if there were we should require long odds against New Zealand. Her quiet ’ spontaneousness always aroused our admiration and gratification, for it embodies a new spirit of progress at its best and worthiest. We hear in New Zealand the clearest echo of the British spirit, and if Britain could transform itself into a new country of pioneers, New Zealand would be accepted by tbc majority as a model.

The Daily Telegraph, in a column article on the mission of Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, says they are in danger of being swamped f by a stream of visitors and buried by an avalanche of correspondence. Only a division of work enables them to attend to their multifarious engagements. Sir Joseph Ward has been long known in Britain as an ardent Imperialist, and Mr Massey hears a more than passing resemblance to the late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. Kiis intellect is of the practical order, which is essential to grappling with the problems of a young and vigorous community.

Interviewed, Mr Massey said New Zealand would never be satisfied with a premature peace. German militarism must be utterly and finally crushed ; otherwise the sacrifices would have been in vain. “I am heartily in agreement with the tone and spirit of Mr Lloyd George’s message to the American press. We must carry on to the end and brook no interference on the part of possibly self-interested neutrals. New Zealand’s death roll is very sad, but very glorious. There is hardly a family in the land that is not represented at the front. .Remembering this, we feel it is due to their memory that the sacrifices should not be made in vain.” Mr Massey explained the Military Service Bill and the methods of recruiting, as well as the scheme for placing ex-soldiers on the land. He added; “The war has widened and illumined our conceptions of the possibilities of Empire, and has opened up a vista of a greater, a more glorious and more united Empire. A self-contained Empire should be our goal.” Sir Joseph Ward, on being interviewed, said; “Having met representative men, I have no reason to modify my impression that England is making tremendous war efforts. The Allies are how on top, and it is reasonable to expect a successful conclusion within twelve months.”

BIG WHEAT PURCHASE. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.10 a.m.) London, October 10. The Hon. Mr Rumanian, in the House of Commons, announced that the Oovorn'meht had completed arrangements for a large purchase of Australian wheat, and had also made provision for the requisite tonnage.