MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

. PACIFiST ACTIVITY. DISCUSSION IN THE LORDS. Received May 9, 10.50 p.m. London, May S. The House of Lords debated Lord Denbigh's motion deprecating pacifist activity. He urged tiie energetic use of propaganda to counteract pacifist organisations, many of which were inspired from enemy sources. 'Lord Ilaldane declared the country need not fear the pacifists, as the nation's heart was sound. Regarding war aims, the committee should cducp.te public opinion. Regarding the urgency of combating German penetration after the war, the country should complete its industrial preparations to safeguard our position. Lord Lansdowne agreed that it was needful to inrtrrot the people better concerning fieri. . i<. methods and war aims. He denied that he had ever advocated peace by surrender. Lord Denbigh seemed to think there must not he peace by negotiation, but peace would not 'drop from the clouds. Lord Lansdowne added that Lord Denbigh relied on the knock-out blow, hut the country had not been told how and when that blow would bo delivered or the cost thereof. Lord Denbigh would not have peace with an unchastened Germany, but Germany had already been chastened last autumn because she had failed in her main initial war objects. There wan a great and increasing respectable body of opinion throughout the United Kingdom who were earnestly desirous of negotiating for peace. Similarly in Austria and Germany. Lord Lansdowne wished to encourage that kind of opinion. Lord Denbigh's policy might drive the British people into a most dangerous mood. Ha rejoiced that reasonable people could still be found here; otherwise he wotald despair of the country. Lord Bcavcrbrook agreed that the pacifist activities were considerable before the German offensive. The Government must and would combat them when they were renewed, but could not stop the supply of paper, bccousc the Government's policy was not i.o interfere wi'ii freedom of speech in the press if consistent with the prosecution of the war. ■Lord Curzon said overmuch was made of pacifist propaganda. Certain contemptible rags disseminated dangero'is doctrines, but generally the people's heart war, sound. The Government alwavs envisaged the possibility of an honorable peace by negotiation, but there was no hope thereof until Germany's military spirit was broken.— Press Association.

GENERAL MAURICE'S LETTER. SITUATION FULL OF DANGER. London, May 8. General Maurice's letter lias resulted In a parliamentary situation full oi danger. The Government has intimated that if Mr. Asquitli's resolution is carried it will immediately tender its resignation. It is understood " that Mr. Lloyd Oeorge on Thursday will make a full statement regarding the larger issues involved in General Maurice's charges, Including the details of the British forces on the Western front in 1917 and the beginning of 1918, with the relative strengths of the British and German armies and artillery during tho present offensive. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

MINISTERS' INFORMATION. BASED ON OFFICIAL REPORTS. (London, May 8. The Daily Express says that General Maurice's apparent contradiction of Mr. Bonar law regarding the Versailles Council and the extension of the British line is really no contradiction. The two statements refer to different things. Mr. Lloyd George's statements regarding the number of white troops in the East and the strength of Sir Douglas Haig's forces on the eve of the offensive were based solely on information supplied by the proper military authorities. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. HOME RULE QUESTION. SCOTTISH CLAIMS ADVANCED. "London, May 8. The Scottish Nationalist Committee is asking the Government to frame the Irish Bill with the view of the immediate extension of a similar measure to Scotland and a complete federal system for the United Kingdom.—Times. PACIFIC POSSESSIONS. 1 London, May 8. It is forecasted that the Colonial Office will agree to a joint inquiry into the administration of British possessions in the Pacific. —United Service. OVERSEAS SOLDIERS AND MARRIAGE. London, May S. Mr. Rcndall, MjP., in an article in the Star, protests against the array regulations preventing parents and relatives of English girls obtaining the records of soldier suitors from the Dominions. He asserts that he has been informed that some hundred women to-day do not know whether they are married or single. . Mr. Rendall adds that the nullity of bigamous marriages can only be established by expensive proceedings. Legislation might effect something, but the Agents-General will not move, while the War Office Bays it is not its business. Mr. Rendall says the regulations should enable a man to produce his record. If he refuses the inference will be plain.—Aus. N.Z. Cable 'Vssoc. Received May 9, 10.55 p.m. London, May 8. Sir Thomas Mackenzie (High Commissioner), replying to Mr. Rendall's charges, said that only twelve inquiries had been made of his department over a period of twelve months for information about soldiers, and in every case the fulliest information was given—Press Association.