SIR JOSEPH WARD ADVOCATES SETTLEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1917, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD ADVOCATES SETTLEMENT.

TO HiCAL THE SORE AND WIN THE WAR. Received March 23, 7.35 p.m. London, March 22. Speaking at the National Liberal Club, 3ir Joseph Ward referred to the Irish question. He quoted Mr. Bonar Law's etatementi in the House of Commons on March 15, that if a new method could be 4ound for healing this old sore it would be one of the best things for the Empire, glr Joseph Ward declared that in the interests, not of the Empire alone, but Of the world's civilisation, the question *' palled for prompt settlement, for it was *ad dmMraiM lore at the

heart of the Empire and extended to countries far beyond, and it should "be healed without delay. He was convinced that an effective, lasting settlement could be made, and no effort should be spared to bring the parties together and establish an Irish Parliament with full local autonomy. Such a course was essential to more closely unify the Empire and help to win the war.

STATEMENTS IN PARLIAMENT, j London, March 22. In the House of Commons, Mr Outhwaite asked whether in view of the charges levelled against the Czar and his Ministers, the Government would now give full information regarding Russia's action in opposing the intervention of Greece on the side of the Allies in connection with the attack on the Dardanelles. Lord Robert Cecil replied: "No, sir." Lord Cecil said he was unaole to publish a minute drawn up by Sir Lyre Crowe for the Foreign Office early in 1916 upon German foreign policy. He regretted this, because its publication would rebut baseless insinuations against the patriotism of one of the j ablest civil servants.

An authoritative statement has been issued regarding the Imperial War Council. Rfc says that to-day's discussion dealt purely with preliminaries. The general desire to concentrate all energies on the prosecution of the war was unmistakable.

The feeling is growing that one oi the most satisfactory features of tne conference is that it will afford the Dominions an opportunity of expressing their views on peace terms. It is felt more and more that the part they have played in the struggle entitles them o this.

SCIENTIFIC ORGANISATION OF INDUSTRY. London, March 22. Mr Hodge, speaking at a meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, said: "We miist have scientific organisation of industry after the war and scrap obsolete methods. Employers and workers have been equal sinners, and we must start afresh with equal co-opera-tion."

He was forming a great central committee to organise demobilisation with equal representations for capital and labor. There would be a similar committee in every village of two thousand inhabitants.

SUGAR RESTRICTIONS. London, March 22. Lord Devonpor* states that it may be necessary to reduce the sugar allowance from three-quarters to half a pound per head weekly. He will shortly make it penal for retailers to sell or consumers to possess more than a fortnight's allowance. The police will be given power to search houses.

SPELTER UNDER THE BAN. Received March 24, 1 a.m. London, March 23. The Press Bureau reports that the Minister for Munitions prohibits dealing in spelter except under license.