BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15894, 7 May 1917, Page 8

BRITAIN'S PART.

MUNITIONS STRIKE

EMPLOYERS' ATTITUDE QUESTIONED. TO 13E DEALT WITH BY TRIBUNAL. (By Cable —Prcta Aaociation—Copyright.) (Itou tor's Telegrams.) (Received May Gth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. In tho Houso of Commons, . Mr W. C. Anderson (Labour) asked whether tho six weeks' strike of 30,000 engineers at Castleton and Rochdale was duo to the refusal of employers to conform to the regulations of the Munitions of War Act. Mr F. G. Kellaway, Under-Secretary of Munitions, admitted that the facts wcr© as stated, ami indicated that the munitions tribunal was dealing with the firbs concerned. I THE LIQUOR QUESTION. STATE PURCHASE ADVOCATED. ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCH. (Australian and X.Z, Cable Association.) (Received Mav sth, 0.0 p.m.) "LONDON, May 4. The Upper Houso of Convocation passed a resolution favouring tho State purchase of the liquor trade because it would givo the public control of tho manufacture and salo of intoxicants. Tho Bishops of Lincoln and London opposed tho motion.

The Archbishop of Canterbury approved of it, stating that it would give the Church an opportunity of participating in liquor control. THE CRUCIAL STAGE. ISSUE OF AVAR NOT IN DOUBT. STATEMENT BY MR ASJUITH. LONDON, May 4. Mr Asquith, addressing tho Eighty Club, said it could not bo too plainly stated that tho war had reached a crucial stage owing to the rapid and formidable development of submarines, thotigh thero was no doubt whatever as to tho tiltimate issue. From 1914 the Government had 6tcadily bought wheat from all parts of tho world, and greater quantities were stored in Britain than ever before. Similar stops had been taken in regard to meat and dairy produce. supplies. The enemy might be assured that his challenge ' would he met by the whole British people and their allies with readiness and resolve. Though they must realise the great strain which the nation must endure, there was no ground for financial apprehension. There were now two prime necessities. the supply of skilled agricultural labour and the encouragement of tillage. He trusted that a solution would soon be reached. An Irish settlement was also probable.

DOUBLE INCOME-TAX. NO ALTERATION DURING THE WAR. (Reuter'e Telegrams.) LONDON, May 4 In the House of Commons, Mr Nonar Law (Chancellor of the Exchequer) said lie had always considered that'the double income-tax in its existing form was.unfair, but this was not the timo when the revenue could be surrendered. He and the Dominions' representatives had discussed the question, and although they were strongly opposed to the system both as regards the amount affected and the principle involved, they fully realised the war position and did not suggest that tlio question be discussed till after the war. He gave an assurance that it would bo one of the first post-war questions dealt with. LORD NORTHCLIFFE'S COUNTRY HOUSE. SHELLED BY GERMAN DESTROYER. NEW YORK, May 4. Arriving passengers state that Lord Nortlicliffe's country home, in the Islo of Tlianet, was damaged by shell-fire from a German destrover on February 26th. Lord Northcliffe was at home during tke attack, and the wife and daughter of a gardener were killed and their cottage destroyed. HUGE MUNITIONS^EXPENDITURE. WASHINGTON, May -I. Mr S. H. Ix?ver. Financial Secretary to the British Treasury, announces that Great Britain is spending £1.400,000 in the United States daily on munitions and war supplies.

CURTAILING RAILWAY SERVICE. ROLLING STOCK FOR THE ALLIES. LONDON, May 4. Mr Daniel Willard, head of the Government transportation service, proposes the curtailment of the passenger train service, and the shipment of the country's entire output of railway stock to the Allies. INCREASED DOG TAX. LONDON. May 4. Mr Bonar Law has foreshadowed an increase in the tax on dogs, including ■a heavy tax on fresh licenses. PARCELS FOR PRISONERS. GERMANY BECOMING SCRUPULOUS. LONDON, May 1. The Australian Rod Cross has received many acknowledgments of the safe arrival of prisoners' parcels in Turkey. It has also received evidence that the Germans scrupulously hand ever parcels to Australians. Several parcels of food have been returned to England intact, owing to the prisoners' removal to Switzerland. TROUBLE AT JOHANNESBURG. INTERNING ENEMY ALIENS. JOHANNESBURG, May 4 Disturbances which arce resulted in several arrest?. Tho Mayor, in order to restore quiet, read before BOCK) people General Botha's assurance that enemy subject's were being interned. The demonstrator- refused to disperse until the persons arrested had been released. REORGANISING THE ADMIRALTY. RELIEVING THE FIRST SEA LORD. <"Tle Times. (Received May (ii.li. 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, May o. The Admiralty reorganisation is proceeding rapidiy. and will define more clearly the separate functions of the fighting and administrative branches. The First Son Lord, who has hithorto been overburdened, will in future occupy a portion like that of Sir William Robertson, Chief of the General Staff.