INDUSTRIAL COMPULSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1917, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL COMPULSION.

STATEMENT BY Mil. HENDERSON. PLENTY OF VOLUNTEERS AT PRESENT; Received Feb. 10, 5.45 p.m. London, February 18. Replying to questions by Labor members as to how many were expected to enrol under Mr. Neville Chamberlain's scheme before ifc could be considered a success, and the possibility, in the event of failure, of a large measure of industrial compulsion, Mr. A. Henderson (member of the War Cabinet) said the speakers did not seem to realise the fact that we were at war. If compulsion was necessary in order to win, he would take every means possible in order to obtain a release from his pledge, given to representatives of the great trades unions. For the present, he believed there were plenty of willing volunteers for useful services at 25s weekly. IMMENSITY OF WAR NEEDS. Received Feb. 16, 8.45 p.m, \ London, February 15. In the House of Lords, Lord Curzan, replying to criticisms regarding the multiplication of office buildings and officials, pleaded the immensity of the war needs, and gave as an example the. Ministry of Munitions, which at the beginning of the war absorbed £ I,OOOXOO, but there had been spent on the Army and munitions during the present financial year £500,000,000. The number of controlled (establishments under the Ministry of Munitions was 4051, and there were nearly 20,000,000 employed therein. AGRICULTURE MOST ESSENTIAL. Received Feb. 15, 6.45 p.m. London, February 17. Mr. R. E. Prothero, Minister of Agriculture, speaking at Birmingham, said that a statement which would be made by Mr. Lloyd George on Monday would be most momentous, and would conviir/j the country that the Government regarded agriculture as one of the most essential, if not the most essential, industry at present. FURTHER RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS. (Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. London, February 15. The Central News states that the Government further railway restrictions to facilitate the increased naval and military traffic, also taking control of canals and ferries, THE LIQUOR QUESTION. Lndon, Feb. 15. Sir George Cave (Home Secretary answering a suggestion regarding prohibition, said that if to carry on the war it became necessary to aslc soldiers, sailors and tho nation to give up drink there must be groupds for {lie sacrifice. They could not convince soldiers shivering in the trenches that the best thing was a glass of water except on the grounds of national interest. The Government was prepared to go to any lengths necessary for victory but they must deal with the facts of the ease. The Government intended to ask the House for power to impose further restrictions on the manufacture of drink if necessary.