BRITISH NEWS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLIII, Issue 88, 15 May 1917, Page 6

BRITISH NEWS.

SHJPPING SUPREMACY. GREAT BUILDING PROGRAMME. LONDON, May 10. Lord Cursson (Leader of the House of Lords), speaking in that Chamber, reminded the House that the Admiralty had the first call on shipbuilding when the war was over. Our naval tonnage showed a surplus over other nations. The figures for merchantmen were as follows: SHIPPING OVER 100 TONS:— June, 1914. No. of Ships. Tonnage. Empire 10,124 20,523,000 All other countries 14,3.20 .24,880,000 December, 1916: Empire 9.757 19,760,000 Allother countries 13,749 2-1,003,000 -Thus the British proportion of the world's tonnage was 45.3 in 1914 and 45.2 in 1910. Lord Curzon gave the British figures regarding: BRITISH VESSELS OVER 1600-TONS No. of Ships. Tonnage. 1914 3,900 16,900,000 March, 1916 .-... 3,500 '16,000,000 The loss of neutral tonnage had been heavy, especially Norwegian, but Japan and Ajnerien were increasing their mercantile fleets, and their success would depend on the duration of the war and the submarine risks. The Shipping Minister's programme envisaged an output of 3,000,000 tons annually. Lord Curzon concluded by stating, "Our fleet will be in a better position than before the war." ALLOCATION OF TONNAGE. 92 PER CENT. FOR WAR USE. LONDON, May 10. In the House of Commons Rt. Hon. A. Bonar Law (Leader of the House) stated that of the available tonnage 92 per cent, had been allotted to the Food Controller, War Office, Admiralty, and Ministry for Munitions. PREMIER REVIEWS SITUATION. NO FEAR OF STARVATION. LONDON, -May 11. The Press Bureau reports that at the secret session of the House of Commons Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill (an ex-First Lord of the Admiralty) dealt with the general naval and military situation, especially Russia's position, the development of the struggle on the west front. America's strength, the sub? marine, problems, and the Balkans. He inquired as to tin: marine losses of fo'od supplies. Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George (Prime Minister) dealt fully with Mr Churchill's points. He also commented on Austria's internal situation and Germany's military position relating to reserves, contrasting it unfavorably with ours. He quoted the Anglo-French Military Chief's satisfaction with the results of recent operations on the west front, and explained {lie proposed methods for satisfying the War Office's demands for further reserves. Mr Lloyd George gave figures of the British tonnage sunk monthly since August, and an encouraging account of the methods adopted to meet attacks. He also gavp the tonnage that was being built in the next 12 months, and pointed out that with increased production of home supplies there was no fear of starvation in Britain. He added: "We shall be self-supporting in 1918." Mr Lloyd George said it was unnecessary to re-state the Allies' war aims, which were well known.

Rt. Hon H. H. Asquith (ox-Prime Minister) expressed full agreement with the Prime Minister, but deprecated secrecy. Hardly anything Jiad been said which - could not have been said openly. He invited Mr Lloyd George to publish the bulk of his speech. PREPARE FOR A LONG WAR. LONDON, May 10. Colonel Repington (military expert of 'The Times') says that there are no military reasons why an early end to the war should be expected. 'The Empire must legislate for a long war, and this itself would have a decided influence on the resolution of belligerent peoples. "Will British democracy" allow history to say that it failed 'at the eleventh hour? All depends on its answer. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. GENERAL SMUTS' EULOGY. LONDON, May 11. General Smuts (Minister for Defence of the South African Union and who was Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in German East Africa), when receiving the Freedom of the City of Manchester, said lie was never so hopeful of Africa solving the race problem and building up a great white community. He was sure that the Imperial Conference would become a landmark in the Empire's history. He had at first doubted the wisdom of summoning the Conference during wartime, but from what he had seen he was convinced that it would produce the greatest results. The delegates' experiences a; the Conference would assist them to appreciate the British difficulties and assist to build up a spirit of unity and co-operation in order to surmount the troubles that lay ahead. The same spirit would result in a stronger commonwealth among the nations of the world. The 'Daily Chronicle' in an editorial, urges the retention of General Smuts in London for a longer period, and adds that his position as an Imperial soldier and statesman is unique. His help and advice would be particularly valued bv the soldiers in charge of the Empire's strategy. The 'Chronicle' believes that the representatives of the other dominions would not be offended bv hfs special retention. Router understands that the Italian ' Government has invited General Smuts to visit the Italian front. | THE ROTORUA'S CARGO. LONDON*, Mav 11. In the House of Lords the Earl of Moath said that the Rotorua's captain was not informed of the danger. Lord Lytton (representing the Admiralty) said that where necessary steps were taken to ensure that ship's with valuable cargoes would bo discharged at the lirst Home port. He only knew of one other sinking under similar circumstances to the Rotorua. It was impossible to unload foodstuffs unless storage and handling facilities existed. If the Rotorua's cargo had been landed at Plymouth the greater part of it would have been lost. I

THE ENGINEERS' STRIKE. DEPRECATED BY TRADE UNIONS. LONDON, May 10. The Press Bureau reports that a conference of representatives of 50 trade unions connected with engineering and shipbuilding, Rt. Hon. A. Henderson (Labor member of the War Cabinet) presiding, passed a resolution providing that all disputes in wartime should be dealt with constitutionally. The conference deeply deplored the existing unauthorised strike and appointed a ecvimittee to confer with the Ministry with a view to suggesting possible amendments to the Munitions Bill.