BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

COMPULSION BILL. LORD KITCHENER SATISFIED. HARSH CRITICISM. London, .Tan. IS. In the House of Commons Mr Long resisted ail amendment in favor of the automatic vouscriptiou of unmarried men as they reach eighteen years_ He said Lord Kitchener had examined the question of numbers with the utmost cure, tie hoped the Hill would pass as it stood. It would give him the .men required and do all that was necessary to secure victory. Major-General Sir Ivor Herbert said one of the most remarkable things of the war had been the total eclipse of the War Ministry behind the shaifow of a figure. Lord Kitchener was never once right. He was wrong from first to last as regards recruiting, lie had left- the country regarding munitions in the same position at the time of the crisis as at the beginning. We were without the necessary drafts to keep up the armies. Tile amendment was not pushed.

The Socialist- National Defence Committee, in a manifesto, declares that opposition to compulsion when our native land is attacked is hypocrisy. The manifesto reminds organised labor that direct and indirect compulsion is. the keystone of trade unionism, and says that every fit trade unionist who is not needed for war work and who refuses to enlist is a humbug and a coward. POWERFUL SPEECH BY SIR 0. IT. REID. Received Jan. 19, 6.h"> p.m. London, Jan. IS. In the Commons, Mr. Walter Long's amendment exempting those who had attained the age of 41 before the appointed dale, was carried.

Sir John Simon moved an amendment providing that men may apply to a tribunal in order to determine whether they are, entitled to a certificate of exemption, and if it was found that they were not entitled tliey would be deemed to have enlisted.

Jtr. Asquith said he recognised that the amendment would not be fatal to the governing purpose of the Bill, but lie considered the scheme of the Bill was preferable. Under the Bill appeals could be heard by three impartial tribunals. Sir G. 11. Bcid, in his maiden speech, made an excellent impression. He said that nothing less than the immediate obligation to serve could meet the gravity of the situation. The interests of Britain required (he Bill. He was not a compulsionist. ordinarily, since Australians were ruthless democrats, but under the Defence Act every man from IS to 00 years of age was liable to serve. He concluded: "While we glory in Parliament in peace times, let us be fearless of inquiry into abuses. When the flames of destruction are approaching the fabric of our liberty, let us save our house first."

Mr. Long, on behalf of the Imperial Parliament, thanked Sir George lieid for his powerful words and counsel. The amendment was negatived by 232 votes to 53.

VON PAPEN. GERMANY'S IMPUDENT CLAIM Received .Tan. 19, 9.45 p.m. London, Jan. 18. A Berlin wireless states that von Pa pen's letters and bank accounts were seized in violation of diplomatic safe conduct, and that they are df a purely personal character. The message denies that von Papen paid money for attempts against munition plants and bridges.

PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIES. Received Jan. 20, 1.10 a.m. London, Jan. 19. It ig understood that the Board of Trades' Advisory Committee will_ recommend the Government to subsidise tariff protection for certain industries. WAR PENSIONS COMMITTEE. A GRANT FROM GOVERNMENT. London, Jail. 18. The Prince of Wales presided at the Naval and Military War Pensions Committee. He said his association with the daily .life of the Army had left imperishable memories of the cheerful endurance of all ranks. He was glad the committee was able to ameliorate the conditions of soldiers' dependents and prevent the material lowering of the standard of life. It was announced that Mr. McKenna ia recommending Parliament to grant ! the committee a million sterling.

AN ECONOMY CAMPAIGN V. VARIOUS PROPOSALS. Times' and Sydney Sun vServicos. London, Jan. ISThough the,sales of Exchequer bonds are averaging more than two millions daily, a vast economy campaign is assured. A section of the Cabinet favors a kind of Derby scheme; others want compulsory thrift. Some suggest the control tlf private expenditure and even regulating ration. 3 , the objective 'being the, restriction of the import of things that are not necessities. The report of the Parliamentary committee is ready and includes many drastic proposals to secure money.

! MEAT TENDERS. London, Jan. lf>. Tenders are invited for tinned meats. Tlio quantities are not mentioned, indicating that the Government desires to ascertain the supplies available, especially immediately, as it inquires the earliest date of delivery in England. The Admiralty tenders are for fdb, 41b, and 21b tins of corned beef, closing on March 1. The War Office has made a new departure by the addition of corned beef, boiled mutton and beef. Tenders close on January -24,..cases to contain 48 lib tins or 24 21b tins'. An important stipulation is that the meat shall not contain above 3 per cent, of sodium chloride (common salt) and 2 per cent, of potassium nitrate (saltpetre). Soldiers have been complaining of over salt meat, which is considered harmful to Tommies going to tile front trendies, where there i* $g gbu&4tncg «£ water, •-