BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

FHE WAR IN PARLIAMENT. CABINET CRISIS. SITUATION ACUTB. ADJOURNMENT TILL TUESDAY. Received April 20, 5.5 p.ra, London, April 1!). In the House of Lords, Lord Crewe loved the adjournment of the debate on ord Milner's motion, but Lord Milner eclined to accept the adjournment. Lord Lansdowne said lie regretted the Sfusal. There were serious differences f opinion within the Cabinet in regard > recruiting, differences so grave that ley threatened to break up the Cablet, which would be a grave national isaster. He was convinced that memers of the Government would gladly tep aside if it could be 9hown where iieife were others more competent to ike the places and work. He denied lie statement that members of the Cabiet could not make up their minds, It 'as because their convictions were deepaoted and they were unable at the molent to find a middle course to escape rom the difficulty of the situation. He sked a ftw days' grace to enable them o meet Parliament with a united ront, and a policy of which the whole labinet rpprcved. Lord Derby said that he v?as prepared 0 vote for Lord Milner's motion, but e supported the adjournment. The Lords then adjourned till Tuesday. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asuith stated that he regretted to say here were material points of disagreenent in the Cabinet, which, if not setled by agreement, must result in a ireak up the Government. (Hear! tear, and cries of disapproval). Mr. A9quith continued: The Cabinet 9 united in believing that such an vent would be a National disaster of ho most formidable kind, but it is toped that it will be averted by a few nore days' deliberation. He moved an adjournment till Tueslay. Sir Edward Carson said that while resetting the delays on the statement of ecruiting, he would be the last to slight that time should not be given the Government to enable an agreement to le reached. COMPULSION INEVITABLE. ISQUITH MUST REMAIN PREMIER. _ ATTITUDE OF LABORITES. Received April 21, 5.5 p.n. London, April 20. The Cabinet sat for three hours, and ;liere were numerous consultations and nestings of groups throughout the day. rhe Compromise Committee's scheme is, ippareutly, a failure, owing to the dissatisfaction of the compulsionists. Mr. Lloyd George seems to have gainid a majority of the Cabinet, including Lord Kitchener. His view as to a ;eneral agreement, late in the evening, vas that compulsion was inevitable, iven Mr. Hendersm being prepared to iccept the principlo of compulsion. Mr. Ji'hn Ward ;f,ab:ir: is indignant it the accusation that the Laborites appose compulsion. He had told colIcagn 3 .* he was prepared to so to (he country and lead a new Labor party really representing the workers. A hundred Liberal members of the House of Commons, including Sir John Simon, met and resolved that Mr. Asluith's continuance of the premiership was a national necessity. The Press Bureau states that Cabinet agreed to a recruiting proposal, which will be submitted to a secret session of Parliament on Tuesday. RECONSTRUCTION POSSIBLE. EXCITEMENT IN THE LOBBIES. Received April 20, 8.30 p.m. London, April 19. There was a three hours' Cabinet meeting before the House met. Messrs Lloyd George and Bonar Law had a lengthy consultation in the Colonial Office. The House of Commons was crowded, and Mr. Asquith's request for a further postponement created a sensation. Animated groups in the lobbies discussed the dramatic development, and there were many rumors of Mr. Lloyd George's attitude at the Cabinet meeting. He did not attend the Commons. Most members scout the idea, of an election, and the general impression is that a reconstruction of the Government will result. Lobby opinion is more hopeful that a compromise will be found to save the Coalition. The Labor Party has decided that the Government, if unwiling to accede to their request for a secret session for the discussion of recruiting. should place the Laborites in possession of the essential facts, AN UNEASY FAMILY. THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received April 21, 5.5 p.m. London, April 20. Mr. Tennant stated that the position of a conscientious objector was a difficult one to determine. The Government had done its best to meet it, and thi tribunals were dealing with such cases fairly. The Daily Mail states that Ministerial ists in the lobby said that Mr. Asquitli declared that if there were any Cabinet resignations he would continue in office with the remains of liberal and Labor support, and if necessary he would appeal to the country. Member! of the General Staff, notably Genera Sir W. P. Robertson, are extremely dis satisfied. It is believed that the Wm Committee's proposals have not givei the required numbers of men it was understood there would be, and that soiiif of the military leaders have intimatec 'that they will be obliged to considei jtheir po3it\ojas unlaw art 1 utiafied. -

WHAT THE ENEMY WILL THINK. LLOYD GEORGE GIVES WAY. „ LABOR'S CO-OP-ERATION. Received April 21, 10.50 p.m. London, April 20. The effect of the Cabinet dissension upon tlic enemies is a vital factor that is influencing a compromise. The termS of settlement include the recommendations of the first Cabinet Committee upon recruiting, namely, compulsion of unmarried men aged eighteen and over, and the re-enlistment of time-expired service men. The threat of the resignation of Messrs Lloyd George and Bonar Law is still a stumbling block, and when Cabinet in the morning faces the crisis it is pected that many, perhaps all, of the Unionist ministers will likewise resign, thus involving a break-up of the coalition. An earnest discussion has resulted in Mr. Lloyd George no longer insisting on immediate general compulsion, but he has accepted the majority's plan to reopen the Derby scheme, allowing probably six weeks for further voluntary enlistment of married men. Another recruiting campaign is opening, wherein the Labor Party have promised co-operation. | A UNIQUE CASE. A SECRET SESSION. THE FIRST SINCE 1833. Received April 21, 10.55 p.m. j London, April 20. The crux of the settlement is that unless a secretly specified number enlist by a certain time general compulsion will immediately be forthcoming. A secret session is an innovation which is a parliamentary procedure that lias not been contemplated since the House of Commons was made open to the press in 1535. Although it is regarded in seme quarters as a dangerous precedent, it is generally popular. Commoners appreciate the gravity of the situation, and the importance of not disclosing to the enemy any military facts, and it is unlikely that there will be any large body in opposition. Many no!ice guard Westminster, and are not permitting strangers to enter the prccints of the House. All the gallanes are locked. Mr. Hodge, a Labor leader, said: "If. compulsion is necessary I will agree to it, and the sooner it comes the better. I doubt the success of a fresh recruiting campaign." CABINET VIEWS. LABOR MEMBER ON RECRUITING. Received April 20, 8.50 p.m. London, April 20. Mr. Henderson proposed that Cabinet re-open the voluntary recruiting system for six weeks so as to allow unattested married men to join the army as volunteers, and in the event of the result being disappointing Cabinet should decide unanimously upon compulsion being absolutely necessary, and he (Mr. Henderson) would endeavour to reconcile organised Labor to a further dose of compulsion. But Mr. Lloyd George and some Unionist Cabinet members wanted a general Compulsion Bill introduced immediately, and this would remove recruiting from the area of controversy. If vhe yield of men falls below fifty thousand a month, which the Army Council declares is the margin of safety, then the Compulsory Powers Act will become operative, by the resolution passed in the Commons. Mr. Lloyd George desires to provide for an emergency now, but Mr. Henderson wishes to meet the emergency when it arises. THE FISCAL POLICY. ■ STATEMENT BY MR. BONAR LAW. Received April 20, 5.5 p.m. London, April 19. Replying to a deputation from the Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Bonar Law said: There is a great change in public feeling on the fiscal policy as a result of the war. Mr. Runciman and myself represent two views at the Paris conference, but we are agreed on three principles—firstly, that security is of more importance than opulence; secondly, future generations must not . forget how the Germans have carried [ on the war, and whether it pays or does | not pay I do not believe that the British people will ever allow the Germans to again exploit the markets of the . Empire as they did before the war; ! thirdly, we are not agreed that there will be a preferential system for the colonics, but there is a feeling that the solidarity of the Empire and the admiration for the Colonies is such that freetraders and protectionists alike may approach the subject with a real desire to meet the wishes of the colonies, for behind the question is Imperial union, and that will never be secured as a result of party quarrels in Britain or elsewhere. i , WOUNDED MAORI LANDERS. I THE HOSPITAL QUESTION. j Received April 20, 5.5 p.m. London, April 19. i Mr. J. Cathcart Wason, in the House I of Commons, asked whether New Zea--3 landers who may. be wounded on the 3 West front must be- sent to Egypt, and 1 whether the Government would reconsider their decision, in view of the r ample accommodation in the hospitals in i London and districts. There were many • objections to Egypt, on account of the 3 heat, flies, and dysentery from infected 1 soil.

Mr. Tennant replied that he appreciated the points raised, and the whole matter wm \wde.r ftossid©3fftti.Qfl-

MR. HUGHES AFTER DINNER. -TALKS TO LABOR.. 1 | ITS ATTITUDE IN THE WAR. . Received April 20, 5.5 p.m. London, April 19. There was a big gathering of Laborit es at a dinner tendered to Mr. Hughes by the Labor Party in the House of ' Commons, 1 Mr. Hughes said that lie was proud 1 that organised labor had responded so 1 nobly to the call of duty. The war had l drawn all classes closer together, en- I abling a truer perspective -of under- 1 [standing one with another. In this common " cause the spirit of self sacrifice purged us of any suspicion and distrust of the different functions of society. We are a truer nation, and more ready to adopt a national policy which will i effect a profound and salutary change oil the social and economic conditions of the people. Mr. Hughe's dealt lengthily on the attitude of labor in the Commonwealth to the war. Australia, lie said, had been long prepared for the certainty of war. It had adopted universal training, established a' navy, enlisted 200,000 men, and also to its utmost power had waged an economic war and utterly destroyed the German hold on Australian trade. He pointed out the necessity for a change in Britain's fiscal policy. It doubtless would be almost revolutionary, but it was obviously the proper and necessary eoiirse, and would be welcomed by all save those whom selfinterest and false doctrines blinded. Mr. Hughes concluded by urging the gravity of the situation, and the absolute necessity of thorough organisation of all classes in order to meet the preparedness and organisation of Germany, which is still far from being exhausted. He hoped that the labor movement would take its place in the vanguard, and co-operate with all classes in the unfaltering purpose to build up a sound social and economic foundation, worthy of our high civilisation. A DARDANELLES HERO. GENERAL BTRHWOOD ARRIVES HOME. Received April 20, 5.5 p.m. London, April 19. The King received Mr. Moore Jones, th£ New Zealand artist, and showed much interest in his pictures of Anzac. The King remarked that General Birdwood was shot in the head, but that he took no notice of his wound until the surgeon insisted on the extraction of the bullet. Mr. Fisher welcomed General Birdwood on his arrival at Victoria Station, • after spending some days in France. WORTHILY-WON HONORS. Received April 21, 10.55 p.m. London, April 21. The King gave an audience to General Birdwood, at Windsor Castle, and invested him with the eommanderships of the Star of India, and of St. Michael and St. George. SUBMARINE MURDER. TOLL OF NON-COMBATANTS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received April 21. 5.5 p.m. London, April 20. In the House of Commons, Mr. Runciman- said that 3117 non-combatants had lost their lives through enemy submarines and mines since the beginning of the war. 1175 of them were passengers, 1754 were seamen, and 188 were fishermen.