BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15896, 9 May 1917, Page 9

BRITAIN'S PART.

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE. CONFERENCE AND CABINET. MR MASSEY'S MOTION. (Br Cable—Prow Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z Cablo Association.) (Received May Bth, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. In reply to a question hy Mr W. A. S. Hewins, whether tho question of preference had been taken out of the hands of tho Imperial War Conference by the Imperial War Cabinet. Mr Walter Long, Colonial Secretary, said: — "An impression that tho Conference was not wholly satisfied with tho treatment of tho question would bo wholly incorrect. Tho resolution was debated in tho Imperial War Cabinet, and the Dominions' representatives accorded it hearty support. It was moved by Mr W. F. Massey, Primo Minister of New Zealand, and carried unanimously.

"The Conference desired it recorded that tho reason why delegates did not speak at length to tho resolution, was that the question had already been fully debated by the War Cabinet."

Mr Long added that any suggestion that tho Imperial War Cabinet could tako the master from tho hands of the Conference -would show an imperfect appreciation of tho powers possessed by the Conference and would bo warmly resented by the Dominions. THE FOOD PROBLEM. BRITAIN CANNOT BE STARVED. MR MASSEY'S VIEWS. (United Service.) (Received May Bth, 6.20 p.m.) LONDON a May 7. The Rt. Hon. "W. F. Massey, interviewed, snrid that wheat was likely to give ont before the harvest, and there was a great shortage of sugar and potatoes. There was ample meat, fish, and oats. "The people presently will suffer some hardships, said Mr Massey, but Germany cannot starvo Britain. The arming of merchantmen is increasing, and tho uso of seaplanes is expected to keep down the number of submarines." FOOD WASTE. NEW ORDER ISSUED. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received May Bth, 6.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. Captain Bathurst. Assistant Food Controller, announced that an order had been issued punishing food waste. FARM LABOUR. RUSH OF WOMEN APPLICANTS. (Received May Bth, 6.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. An organisation is springing up throughout the country to deal with the tremendous rush of women and girls for employment on the land. THE. IRISH PROBLEM. A DEADLOCK REACHED. LONDON. May 7. The 'Manchester Guardian'' says the Government has reached a deadlock over the Irish question, and consequently Mr Llovd George's promised statement is likelv to bo postDoned.

A ROMAN CATHOLIC MANIFESTO. PARTITION OF IRELAND OPPOSED. ("The Timpa. i (Received Mar Bth, 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 8. "Tho Times'' Dublin correspondent states that a manifesto has been issued signed by 18 Roman Catholic bishops and others appealing to tho Irish, to support a protest against 'the temporary or permanent partition of Ireland.

LABOUR'S ATTITUDE. QUICK SETTLEMENT ESSENTIAL. (United Scrvice.) (Received Mav Bth, 6.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. The "Pall Mall Gazette" ■understands that the Labour members of the Cabinet will reconsider their position unless a quick settlement is reached in connexion with the Irish problem. REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENTS A NATIONALIST'S SUGGESTION. (Australian and X.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received Mav Sth, 6.20 p.m.) "EON-DON', 3lay 7. In the House of Commons, Mr. Walter Long (Colonial Secretary) informed Mr Lynch (Nationalist) that he, •'is Chairman of the Imperial Conference, refused to submit, to the Conference Mr Lynch's proposal for republican forms of government for the Dominions. Ho believed that any other member of tho Conference would have dono the same. ' CANADA AND CONSCRIPTION. VOLUNTARY RECRUITING FAILING. OTTAWA. May 7. Recruiting throughout Canada is very unsatisfactory, and tho indications are that upon the return from England of Sir Robert Borden, tho Prime Minister, the country will most likely witness tho passago of a conscription measure which will exempt agricultural and kindred industries. The passage of compulsion in the United States has heartened conscriptionists in Canada. AIR RAID OX LONDON. ' SLIGHT DAMAGE DONE. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Reuter's TelegTams.) LONDON, May 7. The Press Bureau states that early this morning a hostile aeroplane dropped four bombs on tho outskirts of Northeast. London, which killed a man, injured a man and woman, and caused slight damage to buildings. MR LLOYD GEORGE RETURNS. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 9th, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON, May 8. Tho Prime Minister, Mr Lloyd George, has arrived in London on his return from the Allied Conferenco at Paris.

prince albert rejoins his SHIP. ("Received Mav Uth, 12.50 a.m.) "LONDON, May 8. Prince Albert, second son of tho King, lias been passed as fit for active service, and has returned to his ship.