BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1916, Page 8

BRITAIN.

THE WAR IN PALIAMENT. CABINET'S POSITION OBSCUBE. LABOR BECRUITING PLANS UPSET. By Cable.—Press Association —Copvrlgrt London, April 29. The political situation is still obscure. A majority of the Moderates deprecate Mr. Asquith's relinquishment of the Premiership, fearing that it will break up the Coalition, and force a general electitm without any clear-cut issue.

Mr. Asquith's statement on Tuesday is twaited with intense interest.

A Cabinet meeting has been called for to-morrow, and Mr. Lloyd George has consequently postponed his meeting at Conway for a week, at which lie intended to reply to his critics, including Mr. Gardiner.

Lobby opinion is equivalent to faying that members are deluded over the secret lessions. Even the Laborites now admit that the secret was an absurdity, and it is unlikely to be repented. The Labor Party's arrangement:, for a great recruiting campaign were practically complete before yesterday's fiasco and there wa3 great confidence in its result, but prospects are now unpromising. It is expected that Mr. Asquith' rill now negotiate with the Labor leaders to secure their assent to a measure for general compulsion. ' Sir E. Carson's position in the Commons is improving daily. His clarity of ■judgment and careful weighing of words and actions are giving force to the Opposition's opinion for the first time since the Coalition was formed.

The King visited London and interviewed Mr. Asquith and Lord Kitchener. The Cabinet had a two hours' sitting.

I AIRCRAFT MEASURES.

London, April 20. A Navy League demonstration at Queen's Hall urged on the Government the urgency of more vigorous and more comprehensive aircraft measures. Mr. R. A. Yerburgh, M.P., presided, and the chief speaker was Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.