BRITAIN’S PART.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16807, 17 March 1915, Page 7

BRITAIN’S PART.

THE SUCCESSFUL OFFENSIVE. STRONG REINFORCEMENTS SENT. INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF MATERIAL. LORD KITCHENER S SPEECH. By Telegraph —Press Association — Copyright LONDON, March 15. Lord Kitchener, speaking in the House of Lords, said that recent lighting had enabled them to realise how successfully the British had taken the offensive. Sir John French’s message of victory stated that the Indians had shown great gallantry. From March 10 to March" 13 the. fighting had been severe, and. their losses heavy, but nothing daunted them. Their tenacity ' and courage were admirable. Tho Canadians had shown their mettle and had received Sir John French’s commendation for bravery.

Since he last addressed the House considerable reinforcements bad left for France, including the first complete division of Territorials to leave England. Our association with both our Allies on tho western front had only deepened our admiration for their tenacity, resolution and fighting qualities. Lord Kitchener, continuing, said that the violent attacks on Warsaw had failed. The considerable concentration of troops in East Prussia was now well held or driven back. After referring to the defeat of the Turks at the Suez Canal, Lord Kitchener remarked that the operations in the Dardanelles showed tho great power of tho Allied fleets. The House might rest assured that the matter was well in hand.

Ho regretted that tho output of material was unequal to necessities-, and was not fulfilling expectations. A large number of orders had not been completed, and it was seriously hampering recruiting through lack of sufficient labour and necessary plant. He cited an instance in which men’s absence from work and irregular time-keeping had led to a serious diminution in tho output of factories. The Government was arranging a system whereby important armament firms would come under Government control.

OUTPUT OF MUNITIONS.

CONSIDERABLE ANXIETY CAUSED BY RESTRICTIONS. GOVERNMENT TAKING ACTION. LONDON, March 15. Lord Kitchener, after alluding to the ! temptation of drink, said that unless j the whole nation co-operated to supply the necessary armaments and munitions successful operations in various parts of the world would be seriously hampered. His attention had been called more than once to the fact that tho restrictions of trade unions had undoubtedly added to our difficulties, not in obtaining sufficient labour, but in making the best uses of that labour. He was confident that all concerned would agree to waive restrictions during the war. Tho output of war material at present, and for tho next two or three months, had caused him serious anxiety. An increased output was of tho utmost ini- j porta nee. Lord Kitchener, continuing, said lie ; hoped that the Bill about to bo introduced to amend the Defence of the Realm Act would rectify the matter. Labour might right.lv ask that their patriotic work should not bo used to inflate the profits of shareholders in in- j dustrial and armament firms. Tho Go- j vormnent was arranging a scheme whereby industrious workmen woukl , reap some benefits. Tho King had also j approved of tho issue of lnedhls to loyal 1 workers making munitions. Viscount Crewe introduced the Defence of the Realm Amendment Bill. | He explained that the measure was one of organisation of industry rather than j of displacement of industry. Lora' Lansdowne said that Lord Kitchener’s speech was the greatest appeal yet made to tho people of the country, and tho country was not in a mood to i challenge the Government's demands ! for the nowers embodied in the Bill. Ilio Bill passed the second reading. :