CONSCRIPTION

Grey River Argus, 30 December 1915, Page 3

CONSCRIPTION

.CABINET DIVIDED. IMPORTANT MEETING HELD LONDON, Dccmber 28. The Cabine had a two hours' sitting yesterday. A historic meeting is expected to-day. The general impression in. the newspapers is that the division in the Cabinet really concerns conscription, while the matter of the treatment of' single men who have not attested is relatively subsidiary. The "Daily Telegraph" says that there are indications that the Cabinet .is divided over the question of compulsion against voluntaryism. Rc.signatons may* occur, even a general election be resolved upon. The "Daily Chronicle" deplores the political wire-pullers corritempating. the desperate expedient of a general election which the gamblers would plung the nation into while the cream of the voters are in the arm}'. No issue is before the electors. Mr Asquith is bound to keep his pledge to the married men, but there is not the smallest need to rush precipitately to compulsion. That is the way discord arid disunion lie. The "Daily Mail" says that Mr Balfour resolutely . opposes compulsion ; also Mr D. Henderson, while Mr Bonar Law and Lord ""'Kitchener luive not stated their attitudes definitely. Apart from these and Mr Lloyd George, the Cabinet is divided on Lib eral and Unionist lines. Mr Asquith desires to keep his pledge strictly, but as uniformity of opinion was not attainable the Cabinet adjourned. On to-day's meeting depends the contintnnce of the Government nnd the possibility of a general election. The '.'Morning- Post" says that, the matter is properly one for the General Stall, who alone know the real requirements. The decision rests with Mr Asquith, but whatever he resolves the Cabinet will certainly be reconstructed.