MILITARY SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1916, Page 5

MILITARY SERVICE

FIRST READING OF BILL PASSED, ( A VERY LARGE MAJORITY. (P.A. Cable.—Extraordinary.) Received Jan. 7, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 7. The Military Service Bill was read a first time by 403 votes to 105. THE VOTING. INTERESTING DIVISION LIST. Received Jan. 7, 11.55 p.m. London, Jan. 7. The House of Commons was crowded, and tlie division was received with cheers and counter-cheers. Thirty-one Liberals, including Messrs Runicmaii and Burns, and Sir John Simon, voted with the minority. Twelve Labor members, including Messrs Barnes, Ward, Hodge, and Bowerman supported the Bill. Messrs Henderson, Brace,' Roberts, and the O'Brieni'tcs did not vote.

"WAIT AND SEE." A NOISY MEETING. Received Jan. 7, 11.45 p.m. London, .lan. 7. The Labor Conference's amendment favoring national service during the war was negatived by 1,580,000 votes. Mr. Bellamy, the railwaymcn's delegate, said that probably some people would ask how they would oppose compulsion, and "Are you going to strike?" His answer was: "Wait and' see." Mr. Havelock Wilson said that if Mr. Asqiiith's pledge had not been given recruiting would have been less satisfactory. If the pledge was not carried out there would be grave dissension in the country. He did not believe that the unattested single men belonged to the middle class.

The proceedings throughout were punctuated .with uproar. IRELAND'S EXCLUSION. Hon. J. M. Campbell, speaking on Sir E. Carson's behalf, protested against Ireland's exclusion. It was an injustice and a slur. The Empire's difficulty was Ireland's opportunity, and if the Nationalists could reconsider their poliea) ambitions with the. decision to throw in titer lot with their fellow subjects in Britain, consenting to Ireland's inclusion in the Bill, they would have done more for the realisation of their hopes and ideas .than had been done for the last twenty years. Mr. J. -V. Barnes (Labor! said he intended to vote for the Bill, to redeem the pledge, although lie was aware that his constituency opposed it. lie had just concluded a month's visit on the West, front, and could say that there would not have been such large casualties if all young men had done their dutv. Right Hon. A. J. Balfour said the debate disclosed an unalterable determination to advance the interests of the Empire and the Allies. It was feared that a division would do harm within and without Britain, but impartial critics would realise that never was a more united front shown than now. He repudiated the suggestion that it was the thin edge of the wedge for future conscription. It was intended for the present occasion only. The exclusion of Ireland was not an insult to Ireland. Outside of Mr. Asquith's pledge every member of the* Government believed that the Bill was a military necessity, but there was a danger that in future we might be inclined to rely too much on the belief that we could call out armies by a wave of the wand. Jiir recent achievements might delude us into the false security that a similar miracle would be again possible. The opponents of the Bill would convey to our enemies and foreign Powers that we were a divided nation.

MEETING OF LABOR CONGRESS. MEMBERS RESIGN. Received Jan, 7, 8.40 p.m. London, Jan. (!. The London Labor Congress was marked by acrimonious scenes. It was held in the great Central Hall, which was crowded, there being a thousand delegates ' present, representing 40!) unions. Tin! result of the vote was awaited with anxiety by the House oi Commons.

At the conclusion of the Congress the Parliamentary Labor Party met and privately discussed the result. The railwaymen's amendment is felt, in view of Mr. Henderson's speech, likely to bo serious. A great sensation was created when it was announced that Mr. Roberts, Junior Lord of the Treasury, and Messrs Brace and Henderson had resigned. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE. Received Jan. 7, B.<fO p.m. London, Jan. (f. Mr. Herbert Samuel, in speaking during the Compulsion Bill debate, said the fact that six millions had volunteered was the greatest vindication of democracy in history; hut he must support the 'Bill, against his conviction*, because of hard facts. Mr. Runciiuan said it had been estimated that a million more weie spareable from industrial life, therefore they ought to he sent. Mr. J. Robertson contended that Mr. Asquith, in giving his pledge, spoke on behalf of the House of Commons, who acquiesced, therefore they shared' the responsibility. There was no reason to fear that the measure would result in universal conscription.

Mr. Alden did not believe the Bill would raise the men necessary to decide, the war, and there was a'possibility that it would alienate the support of a million munition-makers, men engaged in the transport service, and miners, whereon the nation was dependent.

Colonel Ward said that a third of the Labor men were either in the trenches or preparing therefor, consequently it was impossible to say that the Labor Conference represented the opinion of tlio majority, of trade uniouistj.