MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

PRE-WAR CONTRACTS. COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDA TIONS. SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE URGED. Received Feb 15, 5 5 pin. London, Feb. 14. Lord Buckmaster's committee oil prewar contracts in the United Kingdom ond neutral countries winch have been impeded by the war, reports that the best possible solution is the extension of the spirit of compromise, which bad already solved man\ r difficulties. Hie committee does not favor cancellation by legislation or compensation, except where loss is involved, due directly to Government interference. It does not recommend further legislative intorfer-; enee in the absence of more convinc-iut; evidence than the witnesses submitted that the existing law had been tried and failed. DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. PACIFISTS RECEIVE LITTLE SUPPORT. ) Received Feb. 15, 7.45 p.m. London, Feb. 14. In the House of "Commlpns Mr. Ronar Law stated that the C.ijveriiment had built 1.103,474 tons ofjiiew shipping in 1017, and had bought 170,000 tons abroad. Cur imports for the last quarter of 1017 were the same as in the. early part of the rearMr. Ronar Law declared that he had no more interest in the present than in the late Premier, and hart served both loyally. If th< House were dissatisfied with the Government, their duty was to s;et another wherein they had confidence. Otherwise the destructive criticism should cease. Mr. R. I). Holt's amendment was rejected bv 13!) to 2S. Members with pacifist sympathies urged the- Government to withdraw from the Paris economy declarations, and also to re-define their war aims, particularly regarding Alsace-Lorraine. Mr. J. IT. Thomas (Labor) said it would be the greatest danger if the country were compelled to negotiate for a peace owing to pressure at home. The Labor Partv were determined that an international conference of the people should be held shortly. Rome of the leader:, wer going to Paris to-morrow to arrange a conference. He warned the Government not to attempt to stop them. Lord Robert Cecil, closing the debate, hotlv protested against the pacifists' demand that Britain should repudiate her treaties'. AUSTRALIAN REINFORCEMENTS. THE FINAL WAP, POLISH. MUX ANXIOUS TO REACH FRONT. 'Received Feb. 15, 5.5 p.m. i j London, Feb. 14. Th? latest Australian reinforcements have made an excellent impression. A system is now in full swinS; whereby experienced Australian officers, assisted by Imperial instructors, including many Mons men, will command the training depots at Salisbury and put. the final polish on the reinforcements under war conditions. Many drafts have gone to France during the past two months. A considerable proportion of the recovered woundeds who have been engaged in England, in some cases for twelve months, are now undergoing a slow hardening process. • The recruits have a great respect for the men who have been through the lighting in France. Many warm friendships spring up with the instructing non-coms When the latter are ordered to France they ai;e besieged with appeals by recruits to accompany them, despite the fact that the training period is unfinished. Some even willingly forego disembarkation leave if permitted to go to France with a popular officer. As an instance of the general keenness, the latest arrivals, a bateli of artillerymen, offered individual bonuses to their instructors to give them extra instruction in gun-laving, including night practice. ARMY CONTROL. MARCEL HUTTX'S EXPLANATION. AS TO NEW PROPOSALS. Received Feb- 15, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Feb. 14■Marcel Hutin savs it is possible the Allies' military direction, which caused such feeling in the House of Commons, will receive an almost immediate solution satisfactory to everyone. The British command in 'France will be under the direction of the Imperial staff in London, whilst the British army's representative at Versailles will remain unchanged, but changes between London and Versailles may be expected. IMPENDING WAR CREDIT. OF £500,000,000. Received Feb. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 14. A war credit is expected on the 10th of March, probably for £500,000,000. SIR WILLIAM ROBERTSON REMAINS AT HIS POST. Received. Feb. 15, 850 pm. London, Feb. 14. The Daily Chronicle states that Sir Wm. (Robertson remains as Chief of Staff with the full approval and confidence of Cabinet. General Wilson continues as principal British representative at Versailles. Sir Win. Robertson's powers will be modified by certain changes in the order of council "which recreated the office in MIS.