BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

CABINET AND COMPULSION. IMPORTANT LABOR CONFERENCE. London, Dec. 31. The King's return from Sandringh&m is associated with the Cabinet crisis. His Majesty immediately gave an audience to Mr. Asquith. A most important labor conference is Bitting to-night on the question of compulsory military service. There is a most representative attendance. Mr Henderson will report to-morrow to the Cabinet the findings of the committee. The Labor Conference has issued a statement to the effect that it very fully discussed the Onvenmient's proposal, and agreed that the importance of the issue was so serious that a decision on behalf of the Trades Union and Labor movement could only be reached by a national conference representing the whole movement, and this has been summoned in London for Thursday, after Mr Asquith has made his statement in the floues of Commons. . Mr Gosling will preside, and the proceedings will be private. A statement will afterwards be given to the press. The Parliamentary Labor party concurred in the decision, particularly in view of the very pronounced resolution pased by the Trades Union Congress in September.

■PASSAGE OP BILL ASSURED. London, Dec. 31. The Times points out that the economic arguments are fallacious. "The Boldiers come first. If we do not provide the necessary troops we shall 'be beaten, no matter how strong we are economically. What becomes of finance then? No industry depends for its existence on men of military age. There are older men, lads, and women." The Times' Parliamentary correspondent states that Unionists and Liberals are prepared to follow their leaders implicitly in anything that is considered vital to the prosecution of the war. The Daily Mail states that members of the House of Commons are speculating on the reception of Mr Asquith's Bill. The paper says that a strong minority will certainly attempt to defeat it, or to force an election, but the passage of the Bill is assured. The Daily Mail forecasts that the opponents will be:—Nationalists, seventy; Radicals, thirty; Labor, twenty. GERMAN PRESS JUBILANT. London, Dec. 31. The German press is jubilant at the so-called dissension in England in connection with Lord Derby's scheme, which it regards as an insoluble problem. LABORITES RETICENT. London, Dec. 31. The La'borites are extremely reticent, but there are indications that there was prolonged controversial discussion. Some regarded tlic generous response of recruits as sufficient to keep the authorities busy training then for the next few months. Others urged that the Balkans campaign had considerably enlarged the requirements of the army. It is expected that Labor will return its support to a modified form of compulsion, and will ask for the concession of a further four weeks to voluntary enlistment before compulsion is made law.

The Daily Chronicle says there is tension politically and greater hope for a settlement without a rupture. The Bill will probably be simple, ordering unmarried men to attest within a fortnight or three weeks with the same privileges as given to volunteers.

COMPULSION FAVORED. A UNITED CABINET. LABOR CIRCLES HOSTILE. Received Jan, 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 1. Sir John Simon was absent from both meetings of the Cabinet. Mr. R. McKenna and Mr. Runciman decided that they had no reason for resigning, but Sir John Simon is reported to be considering his position, if he has not actually tendered hi? resignation. Cabinet adopted the policy regarding compulsion, which is meeting with general approval. Mr. Asquitl\ will have the support of a United Cabinet in the event of Sir John Simon's withdrawal. Official Labor circles are strongly hostile. In the event of the Labor Congress opposing the Government's decision, Mr. Henderson will resign his position as President of Education and his seat in the Cabinet. The Bill will become law before the end of January unless there is unexpected opposition. SINGLE MEN UNDER FORTY TO SERVE. Received Jan. 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 1. Great interest attaches to the meetings of Cabinet, which met twice on Friday. The evening newspapers understand that the Bill will compel all unmarried men under forty years of age to join the army.

FEELING OF PARTIES. SCHEME GENERALLY FAVORED. LABOR IN THE WAY. Received Jan. 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 1. Probably Lord Kitchener will be invited to attend the Labor Conference on Thursday and explain the necessity for compulsion in the case of unmarried men. Cabinet no longer fears a crisis involving general resignations, though it is agreed that Sir John Simon has resigned. It is understood Mr. McKenna and Mr. Runciman made fresh proposals yesterday. As a condition of their acceptance of compulsion they proposed to lower the limit which should be placed on the contemplated expansion of the army. After hearing Messrs McKenna's and Runciman's arguments on the statistics, Cabinet decided to reconsider the matter on Tuesday morning. Some members desired the Bill to apply to married men who had not attested, as well as to the 600,000 unnwQted men, but this was regarded as goi ■ beyond Mr. Asquith's pledge, so Cabinet preferred to confine the Bill to the/ pledge. I "

Mr. Henderson is holding' aloof from the discussions in Cabinet. He considers it essential to redeem Mr, Asquith's pledge, hut regards himself as hound by the vote of a special Congress of Labor. Members of the Commons do not desire to face a general election or break with the Coalition Government, but fear the rank and file of the Laborites will not agree with them. Resolutions iby branch societies indicate there is a strong feeling to be overcome before Labor accepts compulsion. Irish Unionists strongly oppose the omission of Ireland from the scheme, on the ground that it would be a national dißgrace. The Railway Clerks' Association tabled a resolution at the Labor Conference entirely disapproving of the policy of co-operating with other political parties I in the recruiting campaign.