WAR CABINET' AT WORK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2953, 13 December 1916, Page 5

WAR CABINET' AT WORK

PRIME MINISTER DOWN WITH A CHILL FRANCE AND ITALY FOLLOW LLOYD GEORGE'S LEAD TO SPEED-UP THE WAR London, December 11. Official: The Prime Minister (Mr. Lloyd George) is suffering from a severe chill, and is remaining indoors to-day by his doctor's orders. The Prime Minister has written as follows to the members of the Houto of Commons:— "His Majesty the King has entrusted me with the task of forming a Government, and I have carried out His Majesty's commands. I had hoped to make a statement "to the House on December 12, but this is now impossible. Mr. Bonar Law will move the adjournment until December 14. The one predominant task of the Government will be the vigorous prosecution of the war to a triumphant conclusion. 1 am confident the Government can rely on your support as long as they devote their energies effectively to that end."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutcr. . WAR CABINET~IN DAILY SESSION London) December 11. Official.—The War Cabinet has mot, and continues to meet every week day —Reuter. food controlTnfTof the first ■ measures London, December 11. The Central News Agency states: It is reported that one of the first measures of the Food Control will be entire control of the liquor trade, including the prohibition of spirits, and restriction of beer to certain qualities and quantities.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE LIBERAL PARTY FUNDS REMAIN WITH MR. ASQUITH'S GROUP. London, December 11. Nine. English Liberal federations met hurriedly and passed resolutions of confidence in Mr. Asquith as leader of the Liberal Party, and gave the Government their support for the effeotive prosocution of the war. The Eastern Counties' Federation recorded its disgust at the campaign of malice and mendacity. Tho purpose of the above resolutions is to emphasise tho fact that the control of the Liberal Party funds remains with Mr. Asquith's party.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable:. Assn. ! . WELSH LIBERALS AND IRISH NATIONALISTS (Rec. December 13, 1.20 a.m.) London, December 12. The Welsh Liberals have pledged their active support to the Government, and passed a resolution congratulating Mr. Lloyd George and expressing gratitude to Mr. Asquith. The Irish Nationalists to-day will settle their policy regarding the Government, an<T especially the treatment of the Sinn Fein prisoners. MR. ASQUITH ILL (Rec. December 12, 5.45 p.m.) London, December 11. Mr. Asquith is Buffering from a sharp attack of influenza, and will be detained at Walmer for a few days.—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF INDUSTRY AN IMPORTANT COMMITTEE REPORT. London, December 11. The report of the committee of engineeriug and shipbuilding employers at Glasgow, established for the purpose of devising means for better organisation, suggests the formation of a National Advisory, Council of Industry, under a Minister, with comprehensive powers. The report advocates the payment by results, and improved relations between employers and workmen, with a view of increasing production.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

FRANCE'S NEW WAR CABINET PENDING CHANGES IN THE COMMAND Paris, December 11. The "Matin" states that tho reorganisation of the High Command will bo considered after tho Chamber approves of tho new Cabinet, which will consist solely of tho Ministers for , Foreign Affairs, Marino, Interior, Munitions, and Food. M. Briand will break up the old administrative bodies, and confer absolute power on the members of tho Cabinet.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FOLLOWING MB. LLOYD" GEORGE'S LEAD. ' (Roc. December 12, 5.45 p.m.) Paris, December 11. M. Briand (the French Premier) is appointing commercial magnates to Cabinot positions. —United Service. CONCENTRATED WAR CONTROL. (Rec. December 12, 8.50 p.m.) London, December 12. The "Daiy Chronicle's" Paris correspondent says: "M. Briand's plan of concentrating the conduct of the war in iv small Cabinet is well advanced. He has boen busy for several days conferring with prominent politicians, commercial, and industrial personalities, and is endeavouring to complete the negotiations at the earliest moment. It is expected that the War Cabinet will be similar in aims and powers to Mr. Lloyd George's,' this facilitating constant 'communication between England and France. M. Briand probably will radically reform the. administrative departments, and modernise, ibeir methods with a view to efficient co-operation in the prosecution of the war. Each head will have almost absolute authority, subject to the War Cabinet's direction. Several important, departments, including Commerce, Public Works, Transport, and Post Office, are likely to be amalgamated, as the Ministerial changes will reduce the Government from 22 to 11. "SPEEDING IP" IN ITALY WAR COMMITTEE BEING FORMED. Rome, December .1!. Changes aro imnuneut with a view to greater economic and military "speeding up." A War Committee is being formed, and the Ministry will be reduced. —Renter. A NEW ERA IN RUSSIA A NATIONAL WAR CABINET. (Rec. December 13, 1.20 a.m.) Petrograd, December 12. The Upper House, almost unanimously, passed a resolution approving tho formation of a. Government acceptable j

to Parliament. This is regarded as marlfing a, now era in the constitutional development of Russia, and is especially opportune whon the Duma is striving for a National Government corresponding to the nation's desiro io put forth its whole energy—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW ZEALAND SUPPORT MR. MASSJSY CONGRATULATES MR. LLOYD GEORGE. (Rco. December 12, 8.50 p.m.) London, December 12. Mr. W. F. Massey (Primo Minister or New Zealand) was the guest of Leeds City and University. He delivered an address on "The Dominions dsd the War." After expressly disavowing his intention of interfering in any way with the ordinary political affairs of Britain, ho said that lis heartily congratulated Mr. Lloyd George on his accession to office, and added: "Important as are the reconstruction of the Cabinet and the change of Prime Minister, they are even more important as indicating Britain's inflexible determination to prosecute the war with greater vigour." He therefore heartily welcomed the change, and assured the new Government that New Zealand would continue to give Britain all the assistance and co-operation in her power in order to win the war. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.