MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE CABINET CRISIS,

MR. ASQUITH ASKED TO RESIGN.

MORE VIGOROUS CABINET REQUIRED. MR. LI.OYD GEORGE WILL NOT EFFACE HIMSELF. London, Doc. 3. Reynolds' Newspaper continues: "It must not be forgotten that after Mr, Lloyfi George bad succeeded in arranging a settlement of the Irish difficulty the Cabinet threw him mercilessly oyer, without any real explanation, at any rate so far as the public was concerned." The Observer suggests that Mr. Asquith may find a way out by undertaking to supervise the general administration and entrusting Mr. Lloyd George with the full direction of the war and everything vitally concerned with it, while Mr. Bonar Law's position in the Government could be much enhanced The paper adds that the crisis will not fail to produce by one means or another a supreme national effort to win the war It also contends that shipping and shipbuilding unquestionably require a Minister to themselves.

Tlie Weekly Dispatch foreshadows the employment of Mr, Asquith's gifts in an administrative than an executive capacity. It was rumored late on Saturday night that Mr. Asquith might possibly resign to enable a new coalition Government to be formed.

The Sunday Times says: "Whether the reconstruction will be marked by Mr. Asquith's retirement is at present doubtful. There is a strong feeling that he should remain head of the Cabinet, while delegating the chief direction of the war to his mofe'energetic colleague. This would minimise the uneasiness which any Cabinet reconstruction must cause among the Allies and neutrals." Mr. Asquith>, audience with the King has accentuated the feeling that great political changes are pending. The eonduct of the war is causing so much dissatisfaction that the life of the Government is threatened at an early date. The statement that the War Council 13 being reduced has caused some satisfaction, 'as the necessity is realised for a small strong body capable of rapid and effective decisions. Sir Edward Carson would infuse vigor, but the driving force of some of the others mentioned is questioned. The Observer says that many think that Mr. Asquith 110 longer embodies the will power and energy necessary to prosecute the war to a successful issue Received Dec. 4, 5.5 p.m. - London, Dec. 3.

Mr. Asquith returned to London this morning. There is much activity in Downing Street, successive Ministers consulting the Premier, Mr. Lloyd George visited the Premier twice. The general impression is that he has- withdrawn his resignation. Ministerial conferences are proceeding. It is officially stated that Mr. Asquith will probably make a statement in the House- of Commons on Monday. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. Received Dec. 4, 8.5 p.m. London, Dec. 4.

Official:. Mr. Asquith, in view of the more effective prosecution of the war, has decided to advise the King to conBent to a reconstruction of the Government.

Received Dec. 4, 8.50 p.m. London, Dec. 4.

The latest news shows that the Coalition is in the gravest peril. Mr. Bonar Law, Mr. Austen Chamberlain, Lord Cur/on, Mr. W. Long, Mr. H. E. Duke, Sir F E. Smith, and Sir Edward Carson attended a meeting of Unionist members of the Cabinet. They decided to send a lettef asking Mr. Asquith to resign, otherwise the Unionists will leave the Cabinet and compel Cabinet reconstruction Immediately after the conference Mr Bonar Law went to Downing Street and interviewed Mr. Asquith, who hurriedly returned from Walmer Castle, where he was spending the week-end. Later Mr. Lloyd George called. The three Ministers consulted together. The extent of Mr. Lloyd George and the Unionists acting together is a matter of conjecture, but it seems certain an understanding exists between them. Reynolds' Newspaper, in a statement manifestly inspired, doubtless written by Sir Henry Dalziel, sums up Mr. Lloyd George' 9 position, and suggests that Mr. Lloyd George will appeal from the Cabinet direct to the people. It is probable he will make a statement to the House of Coiproons, but it is more likely he will commence his campaign in a large Midland town or his own constituency. Certainly he has no intention of effacing himself.

There is every indication it will be a Lloyd George-Carson combination in favor of a more vigorous prosecution of the war. It i.; no secret that Mr. Lloyd George has not been happy in the Cabinet for a considerable time, being con scious that his efforts to secure a more vigorous prosecution of the war did not receive the support in certain quarters which he had a. right to expect. His strenuous battle for the greater production of munitions was never fully encouraged- Malignant personal attacks in Liberal newspapers have undermined Mr. Lloyd George's influence with the working classes.

A STRONG INDICTMENT CLASHING OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. 10W TO WIN THE WAR, Received Dee. 4, 8.10 p.nt London, Dee. 9. The Daily Telegraph, discussing the root causes of the political crisis, states: "Every problem is traceable to the lack of organised man power. We now require a general levy of man power, pos sibly of woman power also. The natior, must be organised from end to end with the sole aim of winning the war. Owing to the partial failure of the harvest in America we must get moss of our grain from Australia, necessitating a voyage of three or four times us long. In every direction the cry is for men. Men are required to build battleships and merchant ships and nun both fleets, There

is now a tug-of-war between the Admiralty and the Board of Trade, botli of whom state the difficulties are due to the War Office, which has'weakened the shipyards Somebody must be appointed superior to the conflicting claims of the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Board of Trade.

, ''The Admiralty three years ago decided that every merchant ship should be. armed. The Admiralty was told the guns would be forthcoming when the requirements of the army wore satisfied. The public demand for anti-aircraft guns added additional embarrassment. This cieated another impasse between the throe departments. The office controlling tile food supply had been offered half-a-dozen men. AH were refused owing to the doubt regarding the power to overrule by the Admiralty, the War Office, the Ministry of Munitions, and the Board of Trade.

"Regarding aviation, the navy claims the right to manufacture special aircraft. Therefore it must completely control its own air service, The Air Board claims it must regulate, design, and supply all aircraft for the army and navy. Under present conditions it is undoubtedly undesirable that: there should be competition in placing orders for aircraft between the Admiralty and the War Office."

THE NEW GOVERNMENT. REDUCED WAR EXECUTIVE, IT , Received Dec.j4, 11.45 p.m.

London, Dec. '4 The Daily Telegraph, writing after Mr. Asquith's announcement regarding tile reconstruction of the Government, says'the situation improved later on Sunday, and there is now reason to- believe that Mr. Asquith, Mr. Bonar Law, and Mr. Lloyd George will remain in their respective offices, Sir Edward Carson becoming- a meniber of the War Council and,a Cabinet Minister without portfolio. The Daily Chronicle says the changes in the Government will not be numerous. They include a small War Council, with executive powers, and the strengthening of the Labor element in the Government.

Mr. Asquith makes a brief statement in the House of Commons to-day. PosBibly Mr. Bonar Law and Mr. Balfour will exchange offices. If so, the War Council will consist of Mr. Asquith Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Bonar Law, and Sir Edward Carson.

The Daily Chronicle protests against the way in which Mr. Asquith is daily assailed in every circumstance of vulgarity by the Northcliffe Press. ,

The Times states that Mr. Lloyd George 011 Friday wrote to Mr. Asquith, proposing that the War Committee have absolute control over the war, consisting of himself, Sir Edward Carson, Mr. Bonar Law, and a Labor member, possibly Mr. Arthur Henderson, who could actively co-operate with Sir John Jellicoe and General Robertson. On Saturday Mr. Asquith informed Mr. .Llovd George that he was prepared to accept a. reduction in the number of the War Committee, but was unable to accept the proposal that it should have unlimited power to conduct the war. There were also difficulties regarding the proposed exclusions from the. Committee. Mr. Bonar Law then informed Mr. Asquith that he and his Unionist colleagues supported Mr. Lloyd George, and that Lord Derby was also prepared to resign. The Cabinet has not yet been consulted, and Mr. Asquith resumes his conversations with his colleagues today '' t CONFLICTING STATEMENTS. WILL MR. ASQUITH RETAIN PREMIERSHIP? Received Dee. 5, 1.40 a.ro London, Dec. 4. Prom the conflicting statements in the newspapers, the fact emerges that there have been no resignations, though some were threatened, while the establishment of a small War Council, variously estimated at three or four members, probably including Sir. Edward Carson, is regarded a,s settled. The crux of the position is the question of Mr. Asquith retaining the Premiership. There was much conferring of Ministers yesterday. The Times and Daily M«ail assert that the conference ended in .1 deadlock, as Mr. Lloyd George was determined to fight for n Council consisting of Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Bonar Law, Sir Edward Carson, and a Laborite. while Mr. insisted upon the retention of Mt. Balfour instead of Sir Edward Carson.

The Daily Telegraph says the Unionist members of the Cabinet, excepting Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Balfour met on Sunday morning, and decided to send a letter to Mr. Asquith, asking him to resign, otherwise the Unionists would leave the Cabinet. Mr. Bonar Law later interviewed Mr. Asquith. .

j' RIGID IRON BLOCKADE. CRUX OF THE SITUATION. United Service. .Received Dec. 4, 5.25 p.m. London, Dec. I'. Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, writing in the Sunday Times, estimates the British losses on the front at half a mifelion, with a high percentage of tlie best officers. He says that the Allies' blunders in the Near East makes a decisive land victory almost impossible. The real issue has been transferred to the sea, and the crux of the whole situation is a most rigid, iron blockade, irrespective of neutrals' opinions.

i LOAN BY JAPAN.' \ London, Dse. 3. A jjuu.i'e Issue has been arranged of ten million sterling British exchequer bonds in Japan, with the view of getting "dollars by remitting the proceeds to America. The issue has a currency ol three years at 6 per cent, and is redeemable at par value. There is as sollateral.

FOOD PROBLEM OVERSHADOWS J LIQUOR QUESTION. | Received Dec. 5, 1.15 a.m j ; London, Dec. 4. Mr. Lloyd George, writing to Mr. ElliDayios, M.P, regarding State purchase and cr.ntrol of the liquor trade, says that since the war the importance of the question lias become greater. The Board of Control had made tentative efforts, hut now the food problem was becoming more urgent than the liquor problem He assumed that in this aspect the nation must be prepared -to see agricultural products put to the most urgent use.

FROZEN MEAT PRICES. ■London, Dec. 3. Mr Massey, interviewed regarding the statement of the president of the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union as to the prices for Australian and New Zealand meat, says that the comparison between the prices is misleading, as it has been made between those paid for New Zealand meat last season and those paid for New South Wales meat in the present season. As a matter of fact, New Zealand lias received a higher price for mutton and an equal for lamb compared with Australia. When, the comments were made the Government was actually negotiating for higher prices for the ensuing season. New Zealand now receives 52d for mutton, against Australia's s}d, and (iid to (ig<l for lamb, against Australia's OJd. DARDANELLES COMMISSI REPORT. London, Dec. 3.

Tlu- Dardanelles Commission is preparing an interim report in moderate terms which, nevertheless, according tc the Sui.day Times, will fully indicate Mr. Churchill's responsibility for the "conception of the expedition. The minority may insist on an independent and more pronounced report.