BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN.

THE COMMONS RESUMES. ! BUDGET PROMISED DOR NESC WEEK. * a. «.' «.' I<<»<ion, Sept. 14. < ■ ft the House of Commons Mr. McKoißft promised to deliver the Budget statement earty next week. Mr. Asquith said he would move a credit vote to-morrow, when he would *»view_ the military'situation. The Goventtwnt proposed that the Home of Commons should sit only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mr. McNamara refused to discuss JwJwther the methods adopted in Paris •gainst Zeppelins should be tried in London.

.On the motion for the adjournment, Mr. Dillon referred to a manifesto which tee Lords and members of Parliament noW serving with the colors were extensively sig#ng, urging the Government to take up national service. (Mr. Dillon urged that it was contrary to tfce practice fof officers on active service, to address a manifesto to the newspapers dealing with matters of political ewtrowny. If tolerated he would ask for similar facilities for officers objecting to conscription. The Government •houM-tw~tnißted and" their discretion jnnfetteredin this matter. ' ~ ■ ""

<■, Mr. Hodge said he hoped the Government would not give way to the clamor, whioh. ; wa» doing great disservice to the country. Sir J. H. Dalriel mid he thought the .present situation was due to lack of information given to the public. Sir F. <J. Banbury said it was evident discussion was absolutely necessary. Captain Quest, on behalf of the conscriptionists, said it was intended to tosjst on a day. for discussion. He had thifiM to say which he had left unsaid oyetlong. -' ■ * ; ¥r» Asquith deprecated a sporadic and dewltory debate. Replying to suggestions for a secret session, he said he had no indication that members deaired this. Beplying to Mr. Dillon, he said h* thought it unfair and contrary to public interest to silence members who were serving gallantly and who resumed their seats when they had short leave 1 from'the front.

Mr. Asquith concluded: "This matter has not escaped the Government's attention." (Cheers and laughter.) When the Government, without undue delay and with the due deliberation which the gravity of the subject demanded, arrived at their conclusions they would be presented to the House and then become the subject for Parliamentary discus-' sion.

NATIONAL SERVICE. NO STATEMENT YET. London, Sept. 14. . Mr. Asquith, in the House of Commom, said he was not prepared at present to make a statement regarding national service., . The Manchester Guardla« agrees with Sir. Lloyd George that there has been too little energy and foresight in the conduct of the.war. Parliament should be told how many men are required monthly, and an official request should then be mode to the men whom the national register shows are primarily eligible to present themselves for training, beginning with young unmarried men, LOOKING AHEAD. Received Sept. 15, 10 p.m. London, Sept. 15. The Daily Chronicle says that nobody acquainted with politics has difficulty in. seeing that moat advocates of conscription have quite other things, in their luinds' eye than the national war needs. MINERS' WAGES. London, Sept. 14. lord St. Aldwyn, a; arbitrator for the South Wales Conciliation Board, has awarded the miners an increase in Wages of 12% per cent. The men asked for a 12% per cent, increase and the owneM offered 5 per cent. 3RITISH CASUALTIES, t A HEAVY TOLL. London, Sept. 14. In the House of Commons Mr. Tennant, Under-Secretary for War, announced that the British casualties to August 21 were as follow: Officers. Men. Killed 4,005 70,092 Wounded 5,972 241,030 .Mining 1,501 53,406 Totals 11,438 305,544 NO HALF MEASURES. THE DUTY OF PARLIAIMENT. (Time 3 and Sydney Sun Services.) Received Sept. 15, U p.m. London, Sept. 14.

Xhe Times points out that upon the decision of the British Parliament during the next few weeks depends the fortunes of the war and the future of the civilised world. If its decisions and measures are characterised, in Mr. JJoyd George's words, by grip and rnlolution and prompt readiness in every sphere, there is no fear of the result; but if Parliament continues the sanctioning of a policy of belated half measures we *UI soon find ourselves facing the gravest possibilities. The questions of national service and finance £gd immediate decision,

ANOTHER CONVERT. LORD HALDANE FAVORS COMPULSION. 1_ IF THE GOVERNMENT SAYS SO, j\ Received Sept. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 14. Lord Haldane, speaking at Dundee, compared the resources of the Allies witii those of the Central Powers in respect of population, wealth, and learning. He said that if we wished to put them into shape we should take up the advantage which the enemy secured by choosing his own moment for war. "Do not let us," said Lord Haldane, "wash our dirty linen in public, or carp at admirals, generals, or the Government. It is a crime to embarrass them by starting new hares." He entirely agreed with the passion which Mr. Lloyd George put into the last speech and the appeal he made to the people to unite themselves and realise the situation. Referring to compulsory service, Lord Haldane said he had fought a stiff battle for the reorganisation of the army on a volunteer basis, but if the Government gave it as their strong opinion that for saving the country the voluntary system was old-fashioned, he would not raise a finger against them; but he wanted the Government, not the newspapers, to Bay it. I : CONTROL OF WIRELESS. Received Sept. 15, 10 p.m. London, Sept. 15. A syndicate, representing the Marconi Company, has acquired the Poulsen patent rights, thus eliminating all rivals except the Telefunken Company. The British Socialist Party has passed a resolution dissociating itself with pro-German intrigues for a premature peace.

THE WAY OF THE HUN. TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. Received Sept. 15, 11.30 p.m. London, Sept. 15, A British prisoner who has returned from St. Endal says that the British prisoners were compelled to salute the Kaiser's statue. A German tried to nuke them walk over a pavement covered with Union Jacks, but they refused, and suffered for it. THE NEW WAR VOTE. ■y Received Sept. 15, 10.50 p.m. London, Sept. 15. It is expected that Mr. Asquith will ask for a credit vote of 250 millions.