MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1918, Page 7

MOTHER COUNTRY.

MAN-POWER SCHEME. THE LESSER DISASTER. London, April 11. The new ballot of the Amalgamated. Society of Engineer* favored the Government's comb-out by 58,050 votes to Ui.VSI

Sir Auckland Geddes, speaking in London, said we would require vast numbers of men. He wished he was able to tell them the figures, but that would give the enemy most valuable information. He realised that the Alan Power Bill would mean death and disaster to many industries, but that was a leaser evil than military disaster. None knew how the great battle would end. It might end with German occupation of the French Channel ports. Then we should need a great army in England. BONAR LAW'S FIRMNESS. IRELAND'S UhOi,>.AN'Ui »iLL BE OVERCOME.

London, April II.V The ever-increasing seriousness of the news from the front disclosed in the communiques strongly influenced the House of Commons over the second reading of the Man Power Bill.

It is evident no one wants io change the Government, still less to havo a general election, so the firmness of Mr. Boiror Law in sticking to the lettei of the Bill pro*idesl a source of strength to the Government!- His direct challenge to the House to throw.out the Government if it disapproved of the extension of conscription to Ireland was so bold and uncompromising that it took everybody aback and touched the imagination of the majority of the members. Sir '.leorge Cave was als> loudly cheered for saying: "It is said that resistance will be offered by Ireland. If so. the resistance will he overcome."

Mr. Dillon's speech included an intensely bitter attack on General Gough, whom iie accused of involving the Irish divisions on three separate occasions in disaster- He concluded by savin" that Irishmen no longer trusted the British Government. If conscription was imposed the Government would liave Ireland for the remainder of the war under strict military law.

THE OVERSEAS CLUB. "London, April 11. The Overseas Club and the Patriotic League of Britons Overseas have amalgamated. The joint membership U 172,01)0.

VERSAILLES COUNCIL REPRESENT ATIVE.

London, April 11

In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law announced that Major-General Sackville West had been appointed British military representative on the Supreme War Council at Versailles, vice General Rawlinson.