MOTHER COUNTRY. WORK OF DEMOBILISATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1918, Page 7

MOTHER COUNTRY.

WORK OF DEMOBILISATION.

POST-WAR PROBLEMS. VIEWS OF GENERAL SMUTS. LEAGUE OP NATIONS NEEDED. London, Nov. 18. General Smuts, representing the Government as the host at a dinner in London to the American editors, said that America's collaboration with the British Empire in reconstructing the future of the world is as significant and as promising as her entry into the war. He paid a tribute to the large-hearted and sportsmanlike way in which the British were celebrating peace without vindictivenes3 and with no hymns of hate.

"I had little differences with the British, as you had," he said, "but let us freely and frankly admit that they are a great people." (Cheers.)

The tearfulness of the fate of Prussian militarism was the most awful and most

solemn judgment in history, but all Europe to-day was broken and bleeding, and ancient institutions were collapsing wholesale. There was a danger of a great set-back from which Europe would not recover for generations. The Allies must now organise the world against hunger and unemployment. Owing to the new Continental situation it w;IS rapidly being recognised that a League of Nations had become a sheer practical necessity. The inter-Allied machinery which was going to ration the countries against hunger was the first step towards the league. Similarly, owing to the shortages, raw materials would have to be rationed in the future.

The map of Europe would soon be a veritable medley of small nations, some of which were already threatened with internal disorders. Therefore a future international organisation to keep peace was imperative. Thus the League of Nations, from small beginnings, would develop vitality and attract a great volume of public opinion, eventually becoming strong enough to essay the supreme task of preserving the world's peace. The league, moreover, could usefully be employed to depute a nation to I act on the league's behalf in governing [certain territories, as in the case ■ Germany's former colonies. Some of 'these were quite fairly and properly claimed by, and must be given to, the | dominion which conquered them.

As regards those that were not so claimed certain powers might be deputed to hold the colonies as mandatories of the league until the question of their ultimate disposal waa settled, because the Allies would resist to tho utmost their restoration to Germany, as it was impossible to foresee how Germany would develop in the future.

Concluding, General Smuts eloquently urged the making of the best use of present opportunities. The age of miracles was never past. The whole world was again plastic and susceptible to a new creative impression, and of being remade to better ends on the lines 0/ universal freedom and justice, thus permanently establishing goodwill n mo ng classes and nations.

Tho history of South Africa since the Boer war bore immortal testimony to the wisdom of a policy of conciliation. If the victors in this greatest of .;ars approached the problems in the ;ame large spirit 0.-, the British did after the South African war ho believed a great reconciliation of the peoples must eventuate, even to the disappearance of ar itself.

JiBITISII POLICY OUTLINED. « London, i'c". 13. The plans for demobilisation, of tho British tones now include the following: Money grants to civilians and former soldiers who uro unemployed owing to peace, ranging from 240 Weekly in the case of former soldiers to 10s in tho case of girls, and allowances for dependent children. Tho maximum duration of these grants will be 13 weeks in the case of workers and 2(3 in the case of former soldiers.

Pivotal men in industries and miners will be the first demobilised. Then other trades in accordance with national needs. Married men will get preference.

Each soldier gets 28 days' furlough on full pay and allowances. The Government has accepted the principle that for a year after the war permanent appointments in the Civil Service should be reserved for former officers and soldiers.

A scheme is heinq worked out to give discharged »oldiers special facilities to secure land. The repatriation of Dominion workmen in England on war work will bo expedited. The Ministry for Supply replaces tho Ministry for Munitions, to control the disposal of war stores to the value of £500,000.000. A I scheme is behur worked out for stimulating the production of materials needed in *lie building trade- Tron and steel will he released from control Forthwith, and ofher metals within ?'oc months. As regards munition-making, workers •re now on time-work, and overtime has been abolished: but there has been no general discharge of these wort-era yet. The present =oale of war wases in all trades will continue for six months ow*n<r to the continuation of tho present WSII prices.

HONORS FOR XEW ZEALANUKEP, London, Ooc. 4. A hnr to H'e Distinguished Service Order lias been awarded to Major Tt. (!. Willing (Now Zoaland Field Artillery). The D. S. 0. lias been awarded to Lieut.-Colonel ?. H. Bell (Rifle Brieade), Majors 0. M. McClelland and W, C. Sinel (Auckland Regiment), F. K. Timibnll 1 (Wellinatoii Regiment). Bars to the Military Cross have been awarded to Lieuts. R. K. Ashby and R. V. Hollis (Wellington Regiment).