NORTHCLIFFE'S WARNING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1917, Page 7

NORTHCLIFFE'S WARNING.

METHODS MUST BE IMIPROVED. London, Nov. 18. Lord Northcliffe addressed a letter yesterday to Mr. Lloyd George, declining his repeated invitation to become Air Minister, stating that after five months of the virile atmosphere of the United States and Canada, where they were proceeding to make preparations with fervour and enthusiasm, there were still in office in England Ministers who were dallying with such urgent questions as the union .of war control, tb» eradication of sedition, the mobilisation of tho man and woman power, and compulsory fftod rations. Certain departments in London were still pursuing,a policy of obstruction and delay, of which instances were given. The censorship was being misused, and men in various position? of authorty Who should have been pun. ished were retained—even elevated., "The sDirit of the men and women of Great Britain?' Lord Northcliffe added, "is clearly as eager and as sple

ever. We have the most eflitfpnt in the world, under our own—the greatest—generals, and I am well aware of the fine achievements of many other soldiers, sailors and statesmen; but I. feel that I can do better work if I maintain my independence, ungagged by a loyalty which I do not feel towards tlie whole administration."

After ascribing tiie tragedies of Ruesia and Italy as being largely due to enemy propaganda, Lord Northcliffe concludes:

"From countless conversations I have had with leading Americans I know that unless there is a swift improvement in our methods here the United States will rightly take into its own hands the entire management of its great part in the war. It, will not sacrifice blood am' treasure to an incompetent handling of affairs in Europe."