BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

MILITARY SERVICE ACT, AN EFFECTIVE MEASURE. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, May 7. The full text of the Compulsion Bill contains fourteen clauses and is entitled the Military Service Act, 191 C. Eligible* are defined as every male British subject who has attained the age of IS years and has not attained the age of 41 years, who, at any time since August 14, 11)15, has been, or for the time being is, ordinarily a resident of Great Britain. The time stated is for the period of the war.

No penalties are mentioned except for those refusing to produce exemption certificates when authoritatively asked for, but Section 0 says that during the continuance of the war Section 17 of the Reserve Forces Act, 1882, which relates to offences of deserters and absentees, shall have effect. Clause 9 provides ior the carrying on of civil work by empowering the Army Council to transfer men to reserves in the general interest of the country.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE. REPLY TO CRITICS. London, May 7. Mr. Lloyd George, speaking at Conway, said that the number of men equipping our navy with munitions was almost equal to the number engaged in France making munitions for the French armv.

Replying to some of his best Liberal friends, whom his fervor in prosecuting the war somewhat shocked, Mr, Lloyd George emphasised that a badly eonducted war means a bad peace, which is no peace. In conducting war a Government should not only be resolute, but should appear resolute and ready to face the horrors of war if they had confidence in their leaders. The Nation's spirit was the propellant of the armies, therefore it was important that, whatever happened, the people should be confident that the Government was doing its best in the firmest and most resolute manner in the conduct of the war. A TRAITOR SENTENCED.

London, May 7.

Albert Bright, an iron merchant at Sheffield, has been sentenced to penal servitude for life. He pleaded guilty to collecting information from an employee of Vickers and Co. regarding war material which would be useful to the enemy.

LORD DERBY'S CAMPAIGN. London, May 7. Lord Derby, speaking at Manchester, and replying to his critics, saia that had he resignen in Maren the military authorities were not prepared to say that compulsion was a military necessity, and h e was unable to make a stand without the backing of their figures. IMPROVEMENT IN WIRELESS. London, May 7. Marconi, in an interview, said the receiving apparatus of aeroplanes had been so strengthened as to be able to receive wireless mesages.

A RABID CRITIC. AGAIN ASSAILS MR. LLOYD GEORGE. Received May 8, U. 30 p.m. London, May 8. Mr. A, G. Gardiner (editor of London Daily News) in a further open letter to Mr. Lloyd George, says: "It is much easier to say 'assassin' and speak of poison gas than to meet accusations which you know to be true, and to which you have no answer. Yours is a swift but shallow mind, and it has made you contemptuous of more stable and trustworthy minds. Self-hypnotised, you are persuaded that you, and you alone, can save the nation. My charge was not that you had disagreed with Mr. Asquith, but that you had agreements with Mr. Asquith's declared enemies.' FALLEN ON DEAF EARS. THE APPEAL FOR ECONOMY. Received May 9, 12.35 p.m. London, May 8. The Board of Trade returns show that the economy appeals have fallen on deaf ears. The average increase of food prices since the outbreak of the War has been 49 per cent., and is steadily rising, while the purchasing power of & severI eign only equals lis 2d.

THE COAL OUTPUT.

IMMEDIATE NEED FOR INCREASE. Received May 9, 12.30 a.m. London, May 8. The Government has requested miners to confer on May 16 as to how to increase the coal output, in view of the Allies' demands. The output decreased 29 million tons during the first seventeen months of the war, the cause being due to enlistments. The coal output would be increased if the eight hours' day is annulled.