AFFAIRS IN BRITAIN.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16208, 10 May 1918, Page 7

AFFAIRS IN BRITAIN.

PEACE DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS. (By Cable.—Prca3 Association. —Copyiigi l *-) (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 9th, 11.15 p.m.)

LONDON, May S

The House of Lords debated Lord Denbigh's motion deprecating pacifist activity.

Lord Denbigh urged an energetic propaganda to counteract the pacifist organisations, many of which were inspired from enemy sources.

Lord Haldane declared that the country need not fear the pacifist. The nation's heart was sound.

Regarding the "War Aims Committee, he said that it should educate public opinion regarding the urgency of combating German penetration after the war. The country should complete industrial preparations to safeguard our position.

Lord Lansdowne agreed that it was needful to instruct people better concerning German methods and war aims. He denied that he had ever advocated peace by surrender. Lord Denbigh, seemed to think that there must not be peace by negotiations, but peace would not drop from the clouds.

Lord Lansdownc added that Lord Denbigh relied on a knock-out blow, but tho country had not been told how or when the blow was to be delivered, or the cost thereof. Lord Denbigh would not have peace with an unchastoned Germany, but Germany was already chastened by last autumn, because she had failed in her main initial war objects. There was a great and increasing respectable body of opinion in the Kingdom, earnestly desiring to negotiate for peace—and similiarly in Austria and Germany. Lord Lansdowne added that he wished to encourage that kind of Opinion. Lord Denbigh's policy might drive the British people into a most dangerous mood. He rejoiced that ' reasonable people could still be found here—otherwise ho would despair of the country.

Lord Beaverbrook agreed that the pacifist activities were considerable before the Gorman offensive. Tho Government must and would combat them when they were rencwod, but it could not stop tho supply of paper, because the Government's policy was to not interfere with freedom of speech in the Press if it were consistent with the prosecution of the war.

Lord Curzoh said that orennuch was beiilg made of the pacifist propaganda. Certain, contemptible rags had disseminated dangerous doctrines, but generally the people's heart Was sound. Thfc Government always envisaged the possibility of an honourable peace by negotiation, but there was no hope of that ulitil Germany's military spiritwas broken. SOLDIERS' MARRIAGES. LONDON, May 8. Mr At Rendall, M.P., in an article in the "Star," protests against the Army regulations preventing parents and relatives of English girls obtaining soldier-suitors' records from the Dominions. He assorts that he has been informed that some hundreds of women to-day do not know whether they are married or single.

_Mr Kendall adds that tho nullity of bigamous marriages can only bo established by expensive proceedings. Legislation might effect something, but the Agents-General will not move, while the \Var OfficS says that it is not its business.

Mr Itendnll says that the regulations should enable a ihaii to produco his record, and if he refuses the inference wtiuld be plain.

FEW ENQUIRIES ABOUT NEW

ZEALANDERS,

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 9th, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, May 8. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, replying to Ml* Rehdall's charges, said that only 12 enquiries had been made from his department over a period of 12' months for information about soldiers, and in every case the fullest information was given.

OUTPUT OF MERCHANT SHIPS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter'a Tciegiams.j

LONDON, May 8. An Admiralty statement on new merchant ship construction shows that during the first thi'be months of this year 320,280 totts were completed in United Kingdom yards, whilst 544,327 tons were launched in Allied and neutral Countries. The respective totals for the whole of 1917 were 1,163,474 tons and 1,774,812 tons. There were 111,633 tons completed and entered for service frotn United Kingdom yards last month, ootaparod with tons in March, arid 58,568 tons in January. This year's completion to April 30th totalled 1,279,337 tons, showing a regular progressive increase sittce April 30th last year, when the total was 749,314. All the foregoing figures are gross tofls.

It is pointed out that last month's diitpUt was achieved notwithstanding a very large incteaso in repaired .merchantmen, atnountihg to 40 per centum alone since January.

BRITAIN'S PACIFIC POSSESSIONS.

(Uhited Service.)

LONDON, May 8. It is forecasted that the Colonial Office will agree to a joint inquiry into the administration of the British possessions in the Pacific. „