MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

LONG-RANGE GUN.

iEING CONSTRUCTED BY BRITAIN".

Beceived April 14, 5.5 p.m.

London, April 13. In the House of Commons, Mr. J. I. laepherson (Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office) stated that steps are being taken to construct a gun for throw - iog a shell eighty miles.

MAN-POWER BILL

ACE LIMIT RETAINED. Australian Cable AssociationReceived April 13. 5..) p.m. London, April 12. In the Home of Commons, Mr H. J. Tt -nant (Liberal) moved an amendment deleting the power to call up men between the ages of .">0 and 60, and thin interfeiing with the business of the Hpuntrv. Sir George Cave said the Government iesired power to take the*e men in the event of extreme national emergency. Parliament would be a sain consulted before the power was enforcedThe amendment was negatived by 201 fotes to !M. IRISH CONSCRIPTION" CARRIED.

HOME fIULE BILL TO BE BROUGHT IN. .Received April 14, 5.5 p.m. London, April 13. ,ne delete on the Man-Power Bill was jntinued, the measure being keenly discussed, and practically all the clauses went to a division. An amendment exempting doctors over fifty was defeated, as was also an amendment rendering the clergy liable to combatant service. The first clause was then tarried, but Sir Q. Cave suggested that the question of the clergy's combatant service should be discussed later. The committee then considered the second clause, extending conscription to Ireland.

Mr. J. C. Lardner (Nationalist) moved •n amendment that conscription shall not, apply to Ireland until the Irish Parliament has approved of same. A lengthy lebate ensued.

Mr. J. McVeagh (Nationalist) declared that Ireland would become a shambles. Mr. Henderson said lie never rememotred a clause so fraught with such danger and disastrous consequences. Mr. Asquith said that in view of the urgency and perils of the war situation tie coirid not be a party to obstructing those responsible for extricating, the •ountry from the peril. He had not in the least lpodUled his views as to the responsibility the Government was asinmlng, and asked why should not the generous measure of self-government which Mr. Lloyd George had promised bs WHed without delay, while preparations were being made to put compulsion in Inland into force. He appealed to the aovernment to state explicitly that this would he done, as he believed thereby lerious trouble would be avoided.

Mr. Duke (Chief Secretary) said the Borenteent was determined to deal with its pledge aa regarded Irish sefl-govern-ment in inch a way as to satisfy Irish aspirations. There was no reason why the Salf-Government Bill should not be on tiie Statute Book at an early date. The 801 would be presented and prosecuted with the greatest despatch. Nothing would be more satisfactory to the Government than tbat a Parliament should be established at Dublin before uy man joined the colore. Mr. J. Devlin (Nationalist) declared that Ireland Waited the same status and power as Australia and Canada. Let Mr. Duke Ifttlaty Irish aspirations in that way, leaving Ireland to decide conscription, and Ireland would start a new, friendly relationship with Britain. If this was done, lie would join the army forthwith a* a private, and persuade others. Mr. Lardner's amendment was negatived br 880 to 108. Mr. Bonar Law, in closing the debate, Mid the Government would be craven not to try to get troops from Ireland. No other constituted authority could do it, as the defence of tbe realm remained with the British Parliament. There was no validity in the Australian analogy. America was conscripting its citizens, and it Wis impossible to say America ought *o do this while We should not.

THE VOTING ON IRISH CONSCRIPTION. Reuter Service. Received April 14, 5.25 p.m London, April 13. In the House of Commons tbe clause applying conscription to Ireland was •doitUdtn' Ml to lie.

SALE OF CANNED GOODS. Received April 14, 5.5 p.m. London, April 13. The Press Bureau states that Lord Rhonnda (Food Controller) is prohibiting, from June 1, the sale of canred goods unless the label clearly shows the estimated net weight of meat contained in the tins. '

MAINTAINING STRENGTH OF REGIMENT. Australian Cable Association. Received April 13, 5.5 p.m. St. John's. April J2. The Legislature meets on the 23rd inst. to consider measures to maintain the strength of the Newfoundland regiment. An Order-in-Couneil forbids the departure from the colony of any eligible unmarried men.