NOTES FROM BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1915, Page 6

NOTES FROM BRITAIN.

THE COALITION. RIVAL POLICIES. CONSCRIPTION OR NOT? London, Sept. 17. The Daily News states that the minority of the Cabinet, representing the conscriptionists. intend to resign, with a view to forcing a general election on the issue of compulsory service. The Pall Mall Gazette, commenting on Mr. Thomas' speech, protests against the State paying blackmail and urges the adoption of force if necessary to avoid a traitor dictatorship. The Westminster Gazette (Liberal) says it would be insanity to appeal to the country respecting conscription. We should be a laughing-stock for our enemies and Allies. The test of diplomacy is to distinguish between war and politics. Forcefulness is Mr. Lloyd George's temperament, but it ig impossible to believe that he will dynamite the Cabinet and rush into a conflict with the working classes. The idea of using compulsion for labor should have been avoided. The men distrust conscription, but should have been converted by Mr. Asquilh, backed by Lord Kitchener and a United Cabinet. Their leaders, who object to military and industrial compulsion, should help to increase the output from the workshops of the country, and we should also have ft more careful method of recruiting and p.void indiscriminate voluntarism.

London, Sept. 17. A Free Church conference in London, representing thirteen denominations, appointed a committee to draw up a scheme for closer union and co-opcration. A PRIZE COURT CASE. London, Sept. 17. In the Prize Court, the Crown claimed the condemnation of 0710 tons of spelter aJboard the Bilbster, which the Australian Metal Co. consigned to Merton and Co., but which wis really intended for German}'. Sir F. E. Smith, on behalf of the Crown, said the Metal Geselleschaft, of Frankfort, the Bur Sondheimer Co., of Frankfort, and Am Hirsch Sohn, of Halberstadt, were interested in the cargo. These three firms dominated the base metals market. It was a remarkable instance of the manner in which the German octopus threw out its tentacles. The court had to decide whether J. and M. Gunn, owners of the Bilbster, were able to claim £7546 freight. The Crown resisted because Mertons, although they knew the cargo was for an enemy destination, attempted to avert capture. Mertons paid the shipowners £SOOO on account of freight. As Mertons gave no assistance, and attempted to deceive the Crown, lie also objected to their claim. The case was adjourned.

ANOTHER SPY SHOT. London, Sept. 17. The Press Bureau stat-j that a prisoner who was charged with espionage on August 20 was shot to-day. GIFTS OF FOOD. London, Sept. 17. The pi ess warmly notice the Sydney Chamber of Commerce's war food gifts, pointing out the special utility of gifts in kind in view of the high prices in England. The London Chamber is receiving many requests for further gift? from hospitals and other institutions. There is some disappointment at the supply falling off.

DASHING GERMANY'S HOPES. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) London, Sept. 17. In the House of Commons, Lord Kobert Ctcil stated, with reference to the German Finance Minister's statements, that it was unnecessary to remark that no suggestion for the payment of a British indemnity would be entertained, nor were we going to consider any question of the limitation of our power at sea, or any suggestion of pfeace except in common with the Allies.