BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

SPEECH BY MR ASQUITH. TRIBUTE TO EARL- KITCHENER. London, June 14. Mr. Asquith, addressing his constituents at Ladybank, alluded to Earl Kitchener's boundless devotion to the service o! the country. I'rom the first day of the war until, his death it was impossible to forget that he was the embodiment of virile force and resolution. In the plenitude of his powers he had gone forth to his doom, leaving a place in constitutional life, that nobody else could fill. His memory would live as long as the Empire. He had bequeathed an array of armies which it remained for us to make the best use of in the Allies' cau"\

THE POSITION SURVEYED.

Mr. Asquith proceeded to survey the situation, in which he found much to inspire. The Russians' advance was one of the most brilliant feats of the war. (Cheers). The Italians, with indomitable spirit, were resisting, daily more effectively, the Austrian onslaught. Nothing could exceed the valor of our gallant Allies in maintaining the defence of Verdun.

The co-operation of the General Stall's of all the Allies was becoming monthly more intimate and complete. He could not over-emphasise the fact that the war was not merely a struggle between the armies, but also between their material and economic resources. The latter may well be deciding factors in the long run.

THE NAVAL VICTORY.

He paid a tribute to the navy's continuous and unceasing vigilance and the effectiveness of the blockade. The enemy's rashness on May 31 allowed the world to see another more stirring and dramatic aspect of the navy's qualities. The action was worthy of the navy's best and most treasured traditions. The enemy was driven back to his ports and made no effort to grapple with the main body of our fleet, yet had the temerity to claim as a victory what was really a rout. A couple or three more such victories and nothing would be left of the German navy worth noticing. The crucial question was that the effect of our sea command was unimpaired and more firmly and unshakeably established. THE IRISH RISING. The recent deplorable rising in Ireland, leading to the cruel loss of many innocent lives, had created a situation which the majority of responsible Irishmen of all parties realised demanded *a settlement. The history of Anglo-Irish relations in the past exhibited a tragic series of missed or misused opportunities. "Let as not add another. The desire exists for an immediate' provisional settlement. After the war we shall take stock of our internal relations, and necessarily the fabric of the' Empire will then be re-fashioned and the Anglo-Irish and Anglo-Dominions relations will he brought in close-connected review." He, commended that view to his countrymen in Britain and Ireland.

Mr. Asquith continued: "I spent a week conversing with all sorts of people —judges, bishops, and Sinn Feiners. Rvery Irishman appreciated the folly of the inopportune rising and the ere'ater folly it would be to contemplate a renewal of civil strife after the war. THE EMPIRE'S LOYALTY.

"History disclosed no more moving spectacles than the eager loyalty and inspiring devotion with which all parts of the Empire had rallied to the .Mother Country. It would never be possible with such an Imperial record to revert to the old methods of Government." He concluded: "It has fallen to me to carry a heavier burden of care and responsibility than any of my fellowsubjects. It is a source of' unfailing satisfaction to know that 1 am sustained by the confidence and sympathy of those whom I am striving to serve. British assistance has been offered to General Joffre. Sound strategy will dictate all the steps taken, and every action will be closely concerted after careful consideration."

TRIBUTE TO THE DOMINIONS. Received June 16, 8.30 p.m. London, June hi, •Mr. Asquith added: "When peace is established we will have to take stock, as an Empire, of our internal relations. There has never been a more moving spectacle than the profusion wherewith the Dominions have lavished their help to the Mother Country in a war that they felt was being waged in a just and righteous cause, but in the making whereof they hod no voice.

"Australia and New Zealand had given us a now familiar word, 'Anzac,' a word which fur generations to come will make schoolboys thrill with pride. Canada again and again has been in the forefront on the battlefields of France and Inlanders, and Generals Botha and Smuts nre conducting a masterly campaign in Africa with the utmost skill and tenacity." WAR SAVINGS COMMITTEE. AN APPEAL TO WOMEN. London, June 14. The War Savings Committee urgently appeals to women to limit the purchase of dress material, and the labor of mak-ing-up, to the narrowest possible limits. It advises them to alter and adapt existing clothee, and purchase cottons instead of woollens. The girls employed in dressmaking are required lo replace men, and the committee advises the utmost restriction in purchases of footgear and leather. INCREASE IN SALE OF SPIRITS. Received June 15, 7.20 p.m. London, June 14. The Evening Standard states that notwithstanding the restrictions of the liquor traffic the sale of spirits, compared with the year preceding the war, shows an increase of over three million gallons. AID FOR BELGIAN OHILDREN. London, June 14. The National Committee for Belgian Relief is arranging a Children's Belgium Day on July 10. The children of the Empire will hold sport 3 and concerts in aid of the 2% millions of Belgians under 16 years of age remaining in Belgium un,der tyranny.

SECRETARY FOR WAR,

POSITION' OFFERED TO MR. LLOYD GEORGE. Received June 15, 7.20 p.m. London, June 14. The Daily Chronicle states that the Secretaryship of War lias been ofl'cral to Mr. Lloyd George, who lias aslced for three days in which to consider the matter.