ENGLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1915, Page 5

ENGLAND.

CONSCRIPTION NOT WANTED. IABOR MEMBER'S WARNING. Received August 22, 3 p.m. London, August 21. Mr. Thomas, a Labor M.P., in an interview gaid that neither the raiiwaymen nor any Other form of labor will submit •to conscription. Ifanyattem .made .$ introduce compulsion the Gi. eminent, instead of,..having to face an undivided 'Spiltytrjf .situation will be face to face : an .industrial problem. He added that the war could only be won by the unanimity of all sections. -'■'.:■ :■•>' II". ffl j: A TARDY ACTION. eWTOT DECLARED CONTRABAND. Received August 22, 4.20 p.m. London, August 21. Official: The Government has declared cotton absolute contraband. While circumstances might have justified such action earlier, the Government is glad to think that local conditions of American interests are liEely to be affected more favorably by such a step now than some time ago. Moreover, the Government contemplate the initiation of measures to .relieve as far as possible any abnormal depression which might temporarily disturb tbe market conditions.

AT THE OUTBREAK OF WAR. , TUB BATTENBERG-CHURCHILL INCIDENT. Received August 22, 2 pjn. London, August 21. The Press Bureau has issued a letter from Prince Louis of Battenberg to Mr. Churchill, regretting tbat the unauthorised publication of a private note (cabled on August 7) has been made the basis of strictures on Mr. Churchill. Prince loui9 of Battenberg states that there was perfect harmony and mutual trust during a critical time. The circumstances -were as follow:—Battenberg considered news from abroad on July 20th very disquieting. Mr. Churchill telephoned from Cromer expressing the same view, and asking Prince Louis to take any steps appearing desirable. Mr. Churchill added that as Battenburg was in charge of the Admiralty he should act without waiting to consult him. Battenberg, in view of foreign advices, ordered the commander-in-chief of the Home Fleet not to leave Portland, instead of beginning to demobilize next morning, as was previously arranged. He adds that Mr. Churchill approved liis action, and they decided on further orders daily, acting in perfect accord.

CHRISTCHURcn OFFICER KILLED. Received August 22, 2.30 p.m. London, August 21. Second Lieutenant H. E. Vovne. of the Worcester*, who was killed ait the Dardanelles, was a native of Christchurch. "TEACHING HIS GRANDMOTHER." NATION *L SERVICE MOVEMENT. London, August 20. The question rs to what :iwy kllow national registration is being generally discussed. Large numbers of Irish laborers who were harvesting in England hi-.? quitted work, believing th;it regist involves conscription. Some slept out, thinking to escape enrolment, and others returned to Ireland. Numbers were induced to remain under promises of extra pay. A manifesto has been issued snpporting:;Lord Northdiffe's new national service campaign, and is signed by nun of. all ranks, including eight Liberai ine;nbers. .It emphasises that its purposes are not to embarrass or attack the Government, but make it clear to the Cabinet that they will have the country behind them In adopting a resolute po J icy. The Daily News says the only effect of the campaign will be to excite litter •controversy at a time when avohUnce of controversy is most necessary in the public iiterest. The Daily Chronicle questions the possibility of keeping command of the sea, manufacturing for export, tinancng the Allies, and at the same time maintaining the output of arms for every sort of sound male between tie ages of 19 and io. The paper insets that the voluntary aystein should not be broken down, and questions t\v. prudence of plunging into methods which are opposed to the genius of our people, and the adoption of which may re3uK in impairing the magnificent spirit of national unity. The conscription idea, in the opinion if some observers, has made great progress among the upper and liiddlo classes