BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN.

WORKERS AND THE WAR. ; 1 THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS. .WHi ASSIST TBE GOVERNMENT. ' ' London, 6ept. 8. » At the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Sexton, in moving the pledge to assist the Government in the war, •amid ciieers, the fact that two antimfflterists were in the army. Mr. ; Ward, M.P., was now a colonel, and Mr. OConnor, of Keswick, was now a lieutenant. The country was fighting Prussia's diabolical plot for world domination. If only a tithe of te refMfrted atrocities were true they justi•fied iiw loathing against Germany. This ■fltfas t war of defence, not of aggresewn. "Do yoni want," he asked, "an Asrgchot at Bristol or a Louniii at .Oxford? We are up against the most brutal system, led by. one of the most blasphemous and hypocritical leaders who ever disgraced civilisation.*' Mr. Hav&oek Wilson seconded the motion.

Mr. Tillett created an uproar by denouncing some extremists as Germany's friends. He concluded by appealing for a unanimous vote, with a view of heartening the' workers in the trenches. • 0»« delegate dramatically interrupted the proceedings by calling attention to the rumor that Lords Crewe and Selborne, at a Cabinet meeting, favored tiie quota system of recruiting. ■ The president refused to allow a discussion on the, subject, inasmuch as the Congress had already dsfbated conscription.

Mr. Hodge, M.P., made a spirited speech on the 'need of supporting the army in the factories. They must not itt(ice peace with the Kaiser, but insist on a general election in Germany, at which terms could be ratified by the people.

• The Congress, by 600 votes to 7, pledged itself to assist the Government to the utmost in the prosecution of the war. ,

The Congress invited Mr Lloyd George $0 .Bristol to explain his yesterday's telegram about munition works. Mr. Lloyd George has accepted the invxution. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. HOW IT WILL BE UTILISED. London, Sept. 8. The Press Bureau states that Mr. Asquith has appointed a committee, with Lord Lansdowne as chairman, to advise the Government aa to the best method of utilising the national register for the successful prosecution of the war. ,

The committee, at its first sitting, agreed to an interim report dealing with the conditions under which the most eligible registration forms will be made available for the use of the departments concerned. This will have the effect of indicating approximately the classes which, in the public interest, the recruiting authorities should approach.

THE RECRUITING SYSTEM. COMPULSION NOT FAVORED BY THE CABINET. SARLY ANNOUNCEMENT LIKELY. Received Sept. 9, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 8. The Daily Telegraph's Parliamentary correspondent reports that Cabinet has considered the report of Lord Crewe's committee, which recommended the recruiting system by a public appeal for battalions, district by district, only retorting to compulsion in the event of there being insufficient volunteers. Cabinet has not reached a decision, and it is understood that Mr. Asquith and twothirds of the Ministers are strenuously opposed to any form of compulsion. ITieir attitude is strengthened by the Bolid trade union veto.

An early announcement by Mr. Asquith or lord Kitchener is likely. It is anticipated that if any change of poliey is decided upon the Government will promptly take the country into its confidence. _ V I.

THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. MESSAGE PROM THE KING. London, September 8. 4he King, acknowledging the British Association's resolution of lovalty, writes that the outburst of loyalty which tiie association witnessed on its visits to Australia, Canada, and South Africa has been gloriously demonstrated by imperishable deeds on the heights of Gallipoli, in tihe trenohes of Flanders, and on the waterless plains of South Africa. The King adds that, in gratefully accepting the association's resolution, he will do his utmost to bring the war to a final victory. He des?ly appreciated the valuable service# to. end by aaef of scteSPS*