BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15449, 30 November 1915, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE RECRUITING CAMPAIGN. THE SCOPE OF MILITARY SERVICE. <By C»bU.—P«m Awooinjon.—Copyright) LONDON, November 28. Sir .J. A. Simon has assured the Minors' Federation that men returning to civil employment after being attested under Lord Derby's scheme will not be called upon to servo in any circumstances in the event of labour disputes. He added that service will bo confined solely to lighting the enemy and defending the country. At a convention of tho "No Conscription Fellowship," the audience was chiefly composed of those of a recruitable ape, Mr Clifford Allen presided. Mr C. P. Trcvelyan. Mr Ramsay Macdonald, and .Mr Phillip Snowdcn wrote opposing conscription. A resolution against, conscription was unanimously curried. A CHALLENGE TO DISLOYALISTS. (Received November 29th, 5.50 p.m.) LONDON, November 29. Colonel Jameson, commanding the 24th London Regiment, speaking at a recruiting rally, challenged Mr Ramsay Macdonald and Mr Trcvelyaa to resign and he would contest their seats on tho issue of conscription. RECORD MARRIAGE RATE. ("Times" and "Sydney Sun" S«rvjoeo.) (Received November 29th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 28. There were 194,076 marriages in England and Wales during April. May, and June. This is a record for the quarter. SAFEGUARDING THE POLICE. (Received November 29th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 28. Owing to the darkened streets the Leeds police, when on point duty, carry a white light in front and a red light behind them. THE SALE OF LIQUOR. LONDON, November 28. Although intoxicants may bo sold only between noon and 2.30 p.m., and between 6.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. on week days in London, except in Woolwich, Greenwich, Bexley, Dartford, and Erith, where the sale closes half an hour earlier, tho publichouses are open all day long for the sale of non-intoxicant beverages. MRS PANKHURST CRITICISEDLONDON, November 28.

A meeting of members and recent ex-members of the Women's Social and Political Union has issued a manifesto emphasising the necessity of safeguarding the suffrage cause from political intrigues. It declares that Mrs Pankhurst, without asking the consent of members, used the union's name for political purposes outside of its objects. An overwhelming majority, if they had been consulted, would have been in favour of keeping the union aud its organisation alive for such national and patrioticpurposes as protecting tho interests of the women and children, preventing an increase in infant mortality aud in assisting and organising tho industrial resources of women for service to the country in its time of peril. Mrs Pankhurst's circular in August, 1914, advising the members to take a rest and suspend activities, virtually disbanded the union as a national organisation. Mrs Pankhurst remains in complete, control of the union • funds and the central machinery, and has had the assistance of a salaried staff in pursuing her various activities without the consent or approval of tho union's multitude of trained voluntary workers and speakers throughout tf.e country. This explains the small scale of her operations compared with tho magnitude of the union's work prior to the war. She has usurped authority to expel members, including almost all those possessed of influence, capacity, and independence, and shown a callous indifference to these devoted women, many of whom but for individual t'elp would lie eomi>'etely destitute. Miss Christabel Pankhurst should resign, or should clearly explain her absence from the country at a time when the services of all women with capacity and goodwill are sorely needed. SOUTH AFRICA'S DUTY. CAPE TOWN. November 28. General Smuts said that there was a tremendous cloud hanging over civilisation, and all South Africans should bear their share in the struggle as part of the white race which was bleeding for the highest ideals of freedom. The Government would <{o its dutv to South Africa and tho Empire. The Hon. M r Burton. Minister of Railways. «aid that events were creatine a fuller realisation of what the bond of Empire meant. South Africa was indissolnblv bound to the interests of the Empire— not bound to a servile adhesion, but to one which stood for tho glorious principle of liberty.