MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1918, Page 7

MOTHER COUNTRY.

ELECTION CAMPAIGN. STATEMENT BY PREMIER. London, Nov, 1(J. Messrs Lloyd George, Bonar Law, and Barnes opened tlio election campaign witli a great meeting at Westminster. Mr. Lloyd t»eorge said that the new Parliament would ibo the most important ever elected. Upon its character depended tha fate of the United Kingdom and tlio Empire, and, through the Empire, the fate of the world. Appealing for unity, he said: "It does not need a strong opposition to make good the Government, but a union of the best brains and the best traditions of every party. The situation in Europe was full of perilous possibilities. If tlio new Parliament failed through lack of courage, selfish interests, of factious politicians, then even the institutions of the United Kingdom might be swept away. Britain had set an example for generations to tlie rest of the 'world by the steadiness of its Government- Let us continue the example."

Reference to the Throne evoked outbursts of cheering. He said that the Throne had won added respect, stability, and lustre from the action of its occupants during the war- The Government must go to the Peace Conference ■with the authority of the people's mandate. Mr. Llovd George mentioned that recruiting statistics revealed a higher percentage of physical unfitness in Britain than in any great belligerent. That •was a disgrace to a proud and prosperous country. Hundreds of thousands of men in their prime had broken physique because they were under-fed, ill-housed, and overworked. Perhaps many were poisoned by excessive drinking, to which they v/ere driven bv squalor. There must be a real national effort to put this right. He then urged the need for grappling with the housing question, maintaining wages at a standard at which the workers' »trength and efficiency were secured and mothers enabled properly to discharge the duty of bringing up children, developing industries, and restoring those which had been: crippled by unfair competition These problems required systematic and courageous treatment by patriots, not partisans. He declared that Labor's wihdrawal from the Coalition Government at a tima of national reconstruction vitally affecting labor was 1 the 'height of folly.

Mr. Bonar Law said: "We who advocated tariff reform as a party issue realise that fclie war has changed the whole n sport of these problems. We stood shoulder to shoulder with the Allies in the war and must stand shoulder to shoulder with them in repairing the ravages of war," Mr Barnes Tegretted the severance of the Labor Party. Ho was convincd that he could serve best bv staying in the Governmement till the country had reached industrial peaceAPPEAL TO THE COUNTRY. foe aoNTmmw coalition. London, Nor. 10. ■■Jr. Lloyd George, in a letter to Mr. Bonar Law, outlined the basis of the appeal to the country for the continuation of the Coalition Government. This Mr Bonar Law read at a private meeting of Unionists on Tuesday, and It is now published.

The letter states::—lf general elections are held, it ought to be a coalition election, asking the country to return supporters of the preemt Government to negotiate peace and also to deal with the reconstruction problems, which are hardly less pressing than the war problems and also require hardly less drastic action. These cannot he dealt with on party lines without disaster Moreover, the national unity which made victory possible should he maintained antil the foundations of national and international reconstruction are securely laid. "My fundamental object is to promote the unity and development of the nations composing the British Empire, preserving their position of influence and authority in the world's affairs which they have gained by their sacrifices and efforts in the cause of human' liberty and progress. I have already accepted the policy of Imperial preference, defined in the Imperial Conference resolution, to be given on existing duties and also on any duties subsequently imposed. The policy does not include a tax on food, but does not exclude preference on articles like tea and coffee, on which dirties are already imposed. "Britain's agricultural position must he improved in many directions, particularly in that of transport. Security must he given against unfair industrial competition, especially the dumping of goods below cost of production. '1 do not support a settlement' of Home Rule which imposes coercion on Ulster. I claim thß right to bring in Home Rule, excluding the six northern counties, ibut such a settlement must be postponed, as it could not succeed in the present condition of Ireland-

"I do not think there is any desire anvwhere for the repeal of Welsh disestablishment, Unit the war has created financial difficulties. I cannot offer any definite solution now, tat helieve a financial solution is not impossible."—Aus.N Z. Cable Assoc. SHIPPING CENSORSHIP LIFTED. (London, Nov. 10. AH restrictions on' the publication of shipping news have been withdrawn. NAVAL PRECAUTIONS- . Received Nov. 19, 10-,25 a,m- , London, Nov,, Extraordinary precautions ,arp. fjejng. taken by the Allied naviea in ; connection, with the handing over of Gernian war: j ships.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asboc. PLIGHT OF RETURNED PRISONERS. Amrsterdam, Nov. 17. Half a million Allied war prisoners have bern released in Germany, and are expected to reach Holland in a few days. London, Nov. 17. Many returning "British prisoners show appalling emaciation, and axe arousing great pity. PROMISE OF BETTER TREATMENT. London, Nov. 10. The Prisoners of War Department has received, through the Dutch Legation at Berlin, news that the Soldiers' Council has taken charge of Ruhleben Camp and promised every facility for making the prisoners' lot as light as possible. They are all well Mid quiat.—AU&.-N.Z. Cable 4«9A