THE PREMIER'S SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1918, Page 7

THE PREMIER'S SPEECH.

SIGN'S OF CONFUSION.

LEADING TO A POLITICAL CIUSIS.

Australian Cable Association, London, i\pril 10. Mr. Lloyd George's .speech lailed to grip the House of Commons, and there are undoubtedly signs of contusion leadu'o a crisis, unless the Nationalists can be pacified.

The general feeling in the lobby is that the Government made a grave mistake in mixing conscription and Honie Kule.

Kir Ldward Carson voiced this opinion, adding that conscription was propped up by Home Kule. He warned the Government that tile introduction of Home Kule might raise an agitation. He told the Nationalists in all sincerity that the greatest contribution they could make, towards an Irish settlement was that the men in the trenches should learn to trust each other.

Newspapers state that the Convention's report may not be readj before Friday. A meeting of Ulster Unionist members adopted a resolution in favor of conscription ill Ireland. Newspapers generally accept as necessary the man-power proposals, in view of the seriousness of the military situation-

The Morning - I'ost welcomes the inclusion of Ireland on the same conditions as Britain, and is glad that there was not an attempt to, shuffle the responsibility on to the shoulders of a hypothetical Irish Government.

Liberal news-papers are unanimous in praising Mr. Asquith's appeal for unity and his sombre reminder of the gravity of the situation.

The Daily Chronicle insists against conscription in Ireland, and earnestly hopes that even now the Government may open its ears to saner counsels. Numerous groups, including Labor, will meet in the House off Commons On Wednesday to consider tho Man Power Bill. A lobbyist says that the Ho.use was profoundly impressed by the Premier's statement. There was no panic, but the deepest anxiety. A majority of the members returned from their constituencies with the fixed intention to support the sternest measures. The text of the new .Military Service. Bill states that, the provisions do not apply to persons ordinarily resident in the Dominions. Doctors up to 50 years will be liable to service, clergymen shall perform combatant service only with their consent.

As regards Ireland, the Act shall be subject to such modifications and adaptations as are necessary to make it applicable. The Daily Telegraph states that Nationalist members avow their intention of returning to Ireland to organise resistance to conscription. Some opine that there will lie an alliance of Nationalists and Sinn Eeincrs.

A in.xM.ina of the standing committee (if Irish Catholic-, consisting of CarUiiml Login* and the Bishops of Cloyne and Kildare, resolved that the attempt to enforce conscription will be a fatal mistake.

In tlie conscription debate, Mr. O'Brieii protested against the madness and wickedness of applying conscription to Ireland. She could have destroyed the Government at the outbreak of tlie war, and this was her reward. The Government was offering her the shadow of Home Rule with the naked reality of military despotism at tlie point of the machine-gun. Irishmen were asked to shed torrents of blood because another violated treaty was thrown to the winds. Mr, O'Brien said he was compelled bitterly to renounce his dreams of tlie reconciliation of the two countries. He concluded that because Ireland was weak they were going to do to her what they dare not do to Australia without the consent of the people. Renter Service. Received April 11, 5.5 p.m.

London, April 10. The Irish Times says that only one thing i s more unfortunate than the" total exemption of Ireland from compulsory service, namely, the enactment of compulsion and the subsequent hesitation to enforce it in the face of lawless and disloyal threats of the Nationalists. The Freeman's Journal declares that the Government is mad. Cabinet has decided to carry tho war into Ireland. SHIPBUILDING SITUATION.

A HARKED IMPROVEMENT. London, April 10. In the House of Commons Dr. T. .J, Macnamara slated that the tonnage completed in the United Kingdom in JJarch was 161,674.

The total new tonnage, of Britain, her allies, and neutrals to the end of 1017 was 5,500,275 tons.

FUEL OILS. FROM HOME SOU*,*** London, April 10. Mr. Churchill has appointed a committee, with the Earl of Crewe as chairman, to consider 'now far and how early it is possible to carry out the proposals embodied in the Petroleum Research Department's report on the production of fuel oils from home sources.

EXEMPTIONS WITHDRAWN, London, April 10. The Press Bureau states that the Minister of National Service notifies the withdrawal o n April 24 of exemptions from military service held on occupational grounds by men of various ages in a large number of occupations wlio are medically graded 1 or 2.

MEDALS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. London, April HI J. P. Alexander, of the New Zealand Artillery, has beer, awarded a bar to the Military Medal Two New Zealanders have also been awarded Military Medals.

UNSHAKEABLE CONFIDENCE.

PEOPLE UNIFIED IN DETERMINED EFFORT

London, April 9. Mi". Henderson, addressing the l-iondon Wosle.van Mission, said that during tlie past fortnight Britain had faced the' most trying ordeal and displayed unsliakeable confidence The latest attack had sm Liiucl 1.1 people aud drmvn thoiii together in a concentrated determined effort-

Mr Hender son said he had favored a policy of conciliation, believing that the interests of humanity lemanded that the war should not continue longer than necessary to secure an honorable, clean, democratic peace, but the latest military aggression involved a temporary suspension of the moral and diplomatic effort. The offensive, following the shameful treatment of Russia, had made conciliation difficult.

Mr. Henderson said he agreed with President Wilson that organised brutality, coupled with arrogant autocracy, must he destroyed. Although the continuance of the light would be costly we must a\yait a change of mentality in the German Government and people. OUR ARABIAN ALLIES.

ACCOUNT FOR 40,000 TURKS. London, April 10. Tn the House of Commons, Lord Robert. Cecil said that since the declaration of Independence by Mecca in July, 1910, Britain's Arabian allies had cleared the Red Sea coast for 800 miles and also accounted for 40,000 Turkish Troops. The Government of the JJedjaz had inaugurated a new era of order and justice.

MESSAGE .FROM EMPEROR OF JAPAN. London, April 10 The Emperor of Japan sent a message to the King complimenting him on the bravery and steadfastness of the British on the West front and expressing confidence in the final triumph of the Allies; The King replied with cordial thanki and said he shared the Emperor's confidence in the triumph of the cause.