SUCCESS OF THE BRITISH OFFENSIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 64, 16 March 1915, Page 5

SUCCESS OF THE BRITISH OFFENSIVE.

KITCHENER REVIEWS RECENT FIGHTING.

CANADIANS COMMENDED FOR BRAVERY. OUTPUT OF ARMAMENTS INSUFFICIENT. GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL THE CHIEF "WORKS. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 15. Earl Kitchener, speaking in the House of Lords, said that the recent fighting bad enabled them to realise how successfully the British bad taken the offensive. Sir John French, in his message to the Viceroy, stated that the Indians fought with great gallantry. From the 10th to tho 13th the fighting was severe, and their losses were heavy, but nothing daunted them. Their tenacity and courage were admirable. 'The Canadians," Lord Kitchener went on to say, "showed their mettle, and received Sir John French's warm commendation for bravery. "Since 1 last addressed the House considerable reinforcements have been sent to France. They included the first complete divisions of Territorials to leave England. "Our association with both ot our allies on the western front had only deepened our admiration of their tenacity, resolution, and lighting qualities. The enemy had made violent attacks in their endeavour to reach Warsaw, but they had failed. There had been a considerable concentration of German troops in East Prussia, but these were now well held, or driven buck." After referring to the defeat of the Turks at the Suez Canal, Lord Kitchener said the operations in the Dardanelles showed the great power of the Allied fleets. The House might rest assured that the matter was well in hand. RECRUITING HAMPERED BY LACK OF MATERIA!.. He regretted that tbe output of war material was unequal to necessities and was not fulfilling expectations. A large number of orders remained uncompleted. This was seriously hampering recruiting, through lack of sufficient labour and necessary plant. He cited instances oi men's absence from work and irregular timekeeping, which had led to a serious diminution in the output of the factories. The Government was, however, arranging a system whereby important armament firms should come under Government control. After alluding to the temptation of drink. Lord Kitchener said that unless the whole nation co-operated in securing the supply of necessary armaments and munitions to secure successful operations in various parts of_ the world the War Department would be seriously hampered. His attention had been called more than once to the fact that restrictions imposed by trade unions bad undoubtedly added to our difficulties, not in obtaining sufficient labour, but in making the best use of that labour. He wns confident that all concerned would agree to waive restrictions during the war. The output of war material at present, and for the next two or three months, had caused him very serious anxiety. Increased output was of the utmost importance. LABOUR TO SHARE IN THE PROFITS. He hoped that the bill- about to lie introduced to amend the Defence of the Realm Act would rectify the matter. Labour might rightly ask that their patriotic work should not' be used to inflate the profits of shareholders in industrial armament firms. The Government was arranging a scheme whereby industrious workmen should reap some of the benefits. The King had also approved of a medal to loyal workers engaged in making munitions. Earl Crewe introduced the Defence of the Realm Amendment Bill. He explained that the measure was one of the organisation of industry rather than the displacement of industry. Lord Lansdowne said that Earl Kitchener's speech was the greatest appeal yet made to the people ot the country, and the country was not in a mood to challenge the Government's demand for the powers embodied in the bill. The bill was read a second time.