BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15489, 17 January 1916, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE NEED FOR MEN. THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPULSION. OPPOSED BY RAILWATJjIEN. - CONFISCATION OF WEALTH DEMANDED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, January 14. The ' Executive Committee of the Railwaymen's Union has arrived at a resolution "urging Labour to unitedly oppose compulsion involving the confiscation of men's lives, and leaving tho nation's material resources in tho hands of privileged persons. The number of oligjblo single anen who have not attested is not sufficient to affect the issue of the war. Mr Asqyith's pledge, made without consulting the electors, docs not bind the manhood of the country. Unless the Government are prepared to oonfiscate wealth we shall resist the confiscation of men to our utmost."

FRENCH SOCIALIST'S VIEW. A SIGNIFICANT ARTICLE. BITING COMMENT. PARIS, January 1-1 .** Gustavo Hcrve, in a significant articlo in "La Victoirc," commenting on the English Military Service Bill, says: "When a few months henco England's clcnched fist descends upon tho skull of tho German Colossus, Prussianism will bo vanquished; hut on the day of victory we will not fail to tell certain English Socialists and Labourites that if we are not beaten it is not their fault."

ARMY CLOTHING. DEMAND FOE CBOSSBRED "WOOLS, (Received Jamiary l£th. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 14. Sir Thomas 31ackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, enquired "whether there was likely to be anv diminution in the manufacture of Army clothing, and learned that the War Officc had recently placed considerable orders. The "War Officc expressed the opinion that the Government would require all th'o available crossbred wools. EMPIRE PROBLEMS. \ LORD ISLINGTON'S VIEWS. LOXDOX, January 14. At the National Liberal Club luncheon to Sir Geo. Reid, Lord Islington declared that whatever else might be said regarding the Gallipoli campaign, it had erected an imperishable

monument to the gallantry and indomitable pluck of the Australians and New Zea landers. He hoped that during tho year a conforenco of tho Prime -Ministers of tho l>ominions and Britain -would be arranged to consider the most important oconomir, commercial, nr.d defence problems confronting tho Empire.

ENEMY FIRMS. NEAY BILL TO BE INTRODUCED. LONDON, January 1-1. Mr E. G. Protymau's Bill dealing tvitli enemy companies and firms trading in the United Kingdom, will be mj troduced next week. j AD3IIRAL MECX IN POLITICS. RETURNED UNOPPOSED FOR PORTSMOUTH. (Received January 16th. 11 p.m.) LONDON, January 15. Admiral of tho Elect the Hon. Sir Hedworth Meux has been returned ior Portsmouth unopposed. The vacancy was caused by Lord Charles lierestord's elevation to tho Peerage. Admiral of tho Fleet tho Hon. Sir Hedworth Moux, G.C.8., K.C.V.0., is a distinguished otiiccr, who, until recently, held the appointment of Com-mander-in-Chief at Portsmouth. Lieutenant tho Hon. Hedworth Lambton was Flag-Lieutenant to tho Commander-in-Chief in tho Alexandra at tho bombardment of Alexandria, July 11th, 1882. He was present at tho battlo ot Tol-el-Kobir, and throughout the Egyptian war. Ho was captain of tho Powerful during the South African war, 1899-1900, and landed the Naval Brigade for tho defence of Ladysmith, taking 12-pounder and 4.Tin quick-firing guns with him. He commanded tho Brigade throughout tho siege. In his despatch Sir George "White said: "Tho Naval Brigade reached Ladysmith in tho nick of time. When it became evident I was not strong enough to meet tlie enemy in tho open field. . . . . Though tho ammunition was very limited, Captain Lambton so economised it that it lasted out to tho end of the siege, anH -under his direction tho naval guns succeeded in keeping at a distance the nemy's siege guns, a service which, •was of the utmost importance." He was promoted Rear-Admiral October 3rd. 1902; Vice-Admiral January Ist, 1907; Admiral. March 2nd, 1911, and Admiral of the Fleet March sth, 1915.

A GREAT INVESTITURE. four hundred decorations. (Received January 16th, 11 p.m.) LONDON; January 15. Four hundred persons were decorated at to-day's investiture at Buckingham Palace. It was the biggest function of its kind yet held during King George's reign. The recipients of honours included soldiers from all parts of the Empire.