BRITAIN'S SILVER BULLET.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15775, 16 December 1916, Page 9

BRITAIN'S SILVER BULLET.

WILL SEE ENTENTE THROUGH. HUGE INCREASE IN MUNITION OUTPUT. PEACE OFFER SCORNED. HUN SURPRISE AT ALLIED COOLNESS. AUSTRIAN CABINET CHANGE.

(3rd YEAR—l3Bth DAY.)

BRITAIN'S PART. NEW CREDIT GRANTED HUGE INCREASE IN MUNITIONS. THE CONTROL OF RESOURCES. (By Cable. —Press Aflfociaiiort.— Copyright.) (Renter's TclegTama.) (Received December loth, p.m.) I.OKDON, Dcccrubef 11. The House of Commons ""'as crowded on its meeting. The parties were extraordinarily mixed. Somo Liberals crossed to tho Opposition side of the Chamber, and many Unionists, remained on that side. A considerable number of Liberals remained on the Ministerial side of the Chamber, and these were joined by some Unionists who crosscd over. The majority of the Labour members remained on tho Ministerial side.

Mr Bonar Law, Chancellor of the Exchequer, moved for a credit vote of £•100,000,000, which, ho said, would suffice until Feb. 24th next. The daily average expenditure had risen to £5,710,000. Ho announced that tho Government was taking such action as it thought necessary in the case of Captain Blaikie, of the Caledonia.

Mr Bonar I«aw added that the total of credit votes for tho financial year had been. £1,950,000,000, /which, was £350,000,000 abovo the estimates. The increase was mainly due to tho manufacture of munitions and to loans to tho Allies and the Dominions. The increase in the supply, of munitions had been enormous, and almost incredible. This was a striking proof, of tho country's vitality. The increase under the heading of loans to the Allies and the Dominions amounted to £400,000,000. Tho increase, however, had gono entirely to tho Allies, as the Dominions were able to finance their expenditure. Mr Bonar Law emphasised Germany's advantage in the matter of controlling the resources of her Allies, and declared that tho Entente Governments wero endeavouring to secure central control. Much had been done in that direction in the past six months, and he believed the rapidity of our victory depended upon the extent to which the resources of the Allies in men, money, and munitions could be thrown into the common cause. Tho total tfar expenditure of Britain was £3,862,000,000. He believed that we would be able to maintain the present rate of expenditure long enough to ensuro that financial causes would not prevent our gaining the vietory. Hitherto no peace proposals had leached the Government. Mr R. McKenna promised Mr Bonar Law the fullest support in his difficult task. The House unanimously adopted the credit vote.

MEN FOR THE ARMY. LONDON, December 14. A supplementary estimate provides for an additional 1,000,000 men for the irmy, making a total of 5,000,000. A POLITICAL NECESSITY. LONDON, December 14. The Home Secretary, Sir George Cave, is introducing a Bill exempting new Ministers from the necessity for re-election. RAILWAY ECONOMIES. LONDON, December 14. An Ordcr-in-Council empowers the Board of Trade to abolish statutory maximum railway fares and other statutory requirements of railways. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS BOYCOTTED.

' (Received December loth, 0.0 p.m.) LONDON, December 14. Several sections of conscientious objectors are being virtually boycotted in many provincial towns where they are training. MR LLOYD GEORGE'S HEALTH. (Received December loth. 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 14. Mr Lloyd George has had' a slight •elapse, and has been ordered to take ft complete rest for a few days. THE FOOD PROBLEM. POLICY OF THE CONTROLLER. /Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received December 15th, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 14. In the House of Lords, Lord Devonport said that his policy as Food Controller would be to adjust the supplies arriving, so that everybody would have an equal chance of setting u fail tharc.

SEED POTATOES. (.Australian anrl X.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Tele grams J (Received December loth, 10 p.m.) LONDON", December 14. It is officially stated that at tho Food Controller's instance, the Board of Trade has issued regulations safeguarding tho 1011 supply of seed potatoes. DRASTIC ACTION. TO SETTLE. DAMAGING STRIKE. (Received December loth. 10 p.m.) LONDON, December 14. It is officially announced that Mr J. Hodge, Minister for Labour, will deal drastically, under the Munitions Act and the Defence of the R-ealm Act, with the l>oilermakors' strike at Liverpool. Tho strike is interfering with work of vital national importance. It arose, against their leaders' advice, over the award and tho increased cost of living. Mr Hodge's offer to hear the grievances if work wcro resumed has been disregarded. PRINCE ALBERT HONOURED, Vhe Times.") (Received December 16th 1.15 a.m.) LONDON. December 15. The King conferred tho Order of the Garter on Prince Albert on his attaining his majority.