STARTLED HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 223, 18 September 1915, Page 5

STARTLED HOUSE.

ANTI-CONSCRIPTION OUTBURST < i LABOUR MEMBER'S WARNING. ! ROCK OF COMPULSION WILL SPLIT THE NATION. APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY RUMOURED. LONDON, September 17. In the report stage of the credit vole the House of Commons again discussed compulsory national service. Tiie feature of the debate was a speech hy Mr J. Thomas (Labour member for Derby). Mr Thomas used a torrent of words, and spoke excitedly and passionately, with a tremendous sincerity, which startled the House. While foreshadowing the stoppage of the railways in the event of the enforcement of compulsion, lie did not pretend to justify such action. He frankly emphasised the difficulty, even now, of controlling the railwaymen's unrest, and implored the House not to increase the difficulty. He declared bluntly that the workers were suspicious of many conscriptionists. They suspected some ulterior motive. "What's the game?" Mr Thomas shouted. "Is it to remove the Prime Minister?" (Loud Radical cheers.) The Prime Minister cannot be replaced in this national crisis, and the Labour party will rally to his support " If, on the other hand, there was no intrigue in the agitation, said Mr Thomas, but only an honest belief that the war could be won by other means than the present system, he repeated his warning that conscriptionists would split the nation at a time when the Labour leaders required to concentrate all their efforts in maintaining industrial peace. Referring to possible attempts 4o remove the Prime Minister, Mr Thomas asked: "Suppose you force an election? Suppose you win? Will you use soldiers against the minority with food up 35 per cent above its old level? Mr Thomas said the last soldier had already been taken from among miners and the railways. There was a shortage of agricultural and munition workers. He urged the supporters of national service i to consider what would happen. Every large railway union had informed the 'executive that on the introduction of a I measure to enforce service they would Stop. PREMIER IMPRESSED. Mr Asquith and Mr Churchill entered during Mr Thomas' speech, and listened to the end with marked attention. (olonel Arthur Lee (Unionist member for South Hants) advocated compulsory recruiting. The Allies could not achieve victory without much greater forces. Britain was the only nation able to supply extra men. Another member said the present Munitions Act showed that it was impossible to coerce 200.000 men. What was going to happen if the nation tried io coerce 3.00O.000? If they wanted an industrial revolution, let them proceed with tbe conscription ajritation. He denied that the voluntary system was a failure. The workers were spending their livelihood to crush Prussian militarism. Let it be accomplished by a free British people, and not by methods odious and unjust. Sir Thomas Whittaker (Liberal member for the Spen Valley Division of Yorkshire) said the agitation was an attempt to rush the Government. He protested against soldiers assisting in a j political agitation fostered by a section : of the Press. EVERYONE'S BURDEN. Mr. George Cave. Unionist member for the Kingston division of Surrey, said he did not believe Mr. Thomas accurately represented the workers' feeling. The point to be determined, he hoped promptly, was whether the existing system would yield sufficient recruits. Mr. Llewellyn Williams, Liberal member for Carmarthen, said that any decline in recruiting was probably due to the present controversy. Sir Henry Craik, Unionist member for the Glasgow and Aberdeen L'niversities, denounced the Government for shillyshallying on this question. Mr, Ellis Griffith, chairman of the Welsh Liberal party, said national service was founded on justice. The obligation to defend one's country should fall equally on all. Mr. James Millar, Liberal member for North-east Lanark, said the debate was futile in the absence of any definite lead from the Government. A MAD PLUNGE. Mr. L. Jones, Liberal member for the Riißhclifl- Division, Notts., said the voluntary system had justified itself. It would be madness to plunge into the unknown when the step might have fatal consequences. Mr. John Whitehouse, Liberal member for Mid-Lanark, Baid the "gramophone" Press which had kindled this agitation had greatly misrepresented public opinion. Mr. L. C. Amery, Unionist member for South Birmingham, declared that unsuitable men were being recruited. Several drafts had recently been sent back because the officers said it was murder to send old men to the trenches. Another officer told him that there were any number of unfit, halt and blind married men unable to march or shoot. Tho British might hold a few miles of neashore at the Dardanelles, but were still beaten and checked, and were sustaining immense casualties. UNIONISM CHALLENGED. Major-General Sir Ivor Herbert, Liberal member for South Monmouthshire, he did not believe in the menace PI industrial revolution. He prophesied that in such case it would be the end of trades unionism. j Mr, Llewpllyi- Williams said he accepted the wnrning. ne believed that oven if Parliament unanimously adopted compulsion if. would be unable to enforce it upon hosts of unwilling citizens, with strong- conscientious objections. If. however, the Government adduced evidence as to the necessity, lie would accept compulsion ultl*B*tflly. '

FIRST WARNING. The "London Times" says Mr. Thomas' hint as to the possibility of an election is the first reference in the House of Commons to the matter, which has frequently been discussed in the lobby. The new group, drawn from Unionists and Liberals, represents the first attempt since the formation of the coalition to give organised expression to what in peace time would be regarded as an Opposition policy. The "Daily News" lobby correspondent says that the country is faced with a political crisis of the first magnitude.

PRESS USES STRONG TERMS. CONVERTING THE MASSES. WORK FOR MR ASQUITH. (Received 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 17. The '-Daily News'' states that a minority of the Cabinet representing the conscriptionists interds to resign with a view of forcing a general election on the issue of compulsory service. The "PalfMall Gazette," commenting on Mr. Thomas' speech, protests against the State paying blackmail, and urges the adoption of "force, if necessary, to avoid dictatorship by traitors. The "Westminster Gazette" says: "The insanity of an appeal to the country respecting conscription would make us the laughing stock of our enemies and allies. The test of democracy is to distinguish between war and politics. Forcefulness is the keynote of Mr. Lloyd George's temperament, but it is impossible that he would dynamite the Cabinet or rush into a conflict with the working classes. The idea of usinn compulsion for labour should conscription should be converted by Mr. have been avoided. The men's distrust of Asquith. backed by Lord Kitchener and a united Cabinet. The leaders who object to military and industrial compulsion should help to increase the output of the workshops." WAITS FOR HOURS. THE PATIENT SNIPER. PREYS ON UNWARY. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) , ~ (Received 8.30 a.m.) Jj| : LONDON, September 17. A correspondent with the British headquarters says: "The sniper's bullet is specially formidable, and is responsible for numerous casualties. Although in trench warfare the old style sniper is obsolete, there has sprung up a host of trench snipers constantly firing at from 20 to 300 yards. They wait hours for the sight of a cap or hand incautiously raised, or any other sign of activity, pitting patient vigilance against ignorance." BIG GUNS FROM CANADA i'OR IMPERIAL FORCES. USEFUL HELP. (Received 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 17. It is stated that Canada will probably undertake the manufacture of field guns and big cannon for the Imperial forces. The Dominion has done so well in the production of ammunition that Great Britain is asking he_" to make it on a larger scale. A committee of business men has been appointed in Canada to consider the whole question with the Canadian Government. ITALY'S APPRECIATION OF BRITISH SACRIFICES (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) (Received 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 17. The "Giornale d'ltalia," reporting the losses of the British army, says they will create a great impression in Italy. Such losses show that the flower of the British nation has volunteered, while the British fleet keeps the seas clear of even the smallest German mercantile ship, and has bottled ii» the war fleet at Kiel. WOOL TO SPARE. EXPORT FROM ENGLAND OF CROSSBRED QUALITIES. LONDON, September 17. Since the estimate of the wool available for export was made at the end of last month, the War Trade Department has learned that stocks in the west riding of Yorkshire are considerable. The Department has now, therefore, decided that 125,000 bales of crossbred and similar wool, of which 50,000 are English, can be spared, and is prepared to consider applications for licenses to export to approved destinations. AUSTRALIA'S WHEAT YIELD. BRITAIN NOT A BUYER. LARGE INCREASE IN AREA. i MELBOURNE, September 17. 1 Mr W. M. Hughes (Federal Attorney. General) confirms a statement that the Australian wheat crop was offered to the British Government, but that it de- ' dined to purchase it. '. ADELAIDE, September 17. 1 The official estimate of the area in i South Australia under wheat is 3,192,380 - acres, an increase over last year of . 353,301 acres; oats, 313,910 acres, an f increase of 46,419 compared with the i previous year. UNDER-SEA HEROES. PEUCKY MEN OF E7. LONDON, September 17. The submarine E7, which has been sunk in the Sea of Marmora, was commanded by Lieutenant-Commander A. W. Cochrane, who was formerly In command of tho Dl, and was mentioned In the dis- j I patches concerning tho notion In the | I Heligoland Bight on August 28 as having I | been In contact with tho enemy. Sub- j ; Lieutenant Twytunn, who was on the R7,! i had received the Distinguished Service j Cross.