MOTHER COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17697, 25 January 1918, Page 6

MOTHER COUNTRY.

IRISH AFFAIRS. SIR EDWARD CARSON’S RESIGNATION. COMMENTS BY SIR FREDERICK SMITH. OTTAWA, January 23. Sir Frederick Smith, British Attor-ney-General, says that the resignation of Sir Edward Carson was undoubtedly prompted on patriotic grounds. He is ready to support the Government's war measures and also use his influence with his own party. The Home Rule Convention might fail, and if'so the British Government would not be responsible. The matter was entirely one for Irishmen themselves, but if at failed the Government is lively to interfere. EPISODES IN GALWAY. LONDON, January 23. Twenty disguised men raided two houses near Galway and held up the occupants at the revolver point. They took two shot-guns, a duck-gun, a rifle and a bag of ammunition, which, they declared, were wanted for the next rising.

WORK OF THE CONVENTION. LONDON, January 23. There is a growing belief that a settlement of the Irish question is not far distant. Sir Edward Carson’s resignation is regarded as a helpful sign. The “Daily News” learns from authoritative quarters that Sir Edward Carson will throw his whole influence into an immediate settlement, which will include Ulster. It is stated in the lobbies that tho Government will make a great effort at a settlement during tho next few weeks.. Sir Horace Plunkett interviewed Mr Lloyd Georgo and others on Monday of last week. He then returned and presided at tho convention at Dunifin on Thursday. The convention continued its discussion of the Grand Committee’s statement, and will resume to-day. NEWSPAPERS BARRED. NEW YORK, January 23. Three Irish newspapers have been barred from the mails. LABOUR AND PEACE. MR. HENDERSON’S VIEWS. (Received January 24, 8.10 p m.) LONDON, January 23. Mr Arthur Henderson, in a circular to Labour delegates, recapitulates the Labour war aims, and adds that all Socialist parties in Europe now agree with the Bolsheviks, as does also Mr Wilson’s published statement. REQUEST TO ALLIES TO FORMULATE TERMS. Reuter's Telegrams. (Received January 24, 11-30 p.m.) LONDON. January 22. At the Labour Conference Mr Henderson moved a resolution welcoming Mr Lloyd George’s and Mr Wilson’s war aims and statements so far as they harmonised with the labour aims, and requesting the Allies to formulate their, aims at the earliest possible in order that they may be put in a juxtaposition with a similar statement which the democracies of the enemy countries are requested to make. The resolution was practically unanimously carried. THE NOTTINGHAM CONFERENCE, PRESIDENT FAVOURS FIGHTING ON. Routor’s Telegrams. (Received January 2-1, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, January 23. Mr Purdy, in his presidential address at tile Labour Conference at Nottingham, said: —“Peace by negotiation while Germany occupies lorcigu territories will mean a German victory. If Germany does not accept Mr Wilson's and Mr Lloyd George’s terms we must fight on- Germany can no longer claim that she is fighting a defensive war. There is not yet a sign that the enemy is willing to accept Mr Lloyd George’s, Mr Wilson’s and Labour’s principles. Will the German democracy define its war aims and face its Government as we have faced our Government? ’ Hu added that tho way was open to Germany if the German people and Government sincerely desired a just peace- A peace agreement under present conditions would mean fastening militarism more strongly of the British .Empire and the peoples' of tho British Empire ntid on the world. “We must have a clean peace,” said Mr Purdy in conclusion, “ and if it is only obtainable by lighting wo must go on lighting to the end. M. Huy small, secretary or the International Socialist Burea’u, said that if tho moderate democratic war aims of the Labour Party were presented at; an International Labour Conference, then the Austro-German Labour Party woujd be compelled to declare its war aims, pnd if a general agreement transpired, fighting would be paralysed. THE COST OF WAR. BRITAIN' S EXPENDITURE. Ueuter’e Telegrams. (Received January 24. 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, January 23. In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law said that the daily average of national expenditure during the seven weeks ended January 19, was £7,500,000, exceeding the estimate by £1,150,000 daily. . THE SOCIALIST PARTY. POLICE SEIZE DOCUMENTS. LONDON, January 23. The Home Secretary (Sir George Cave), replying to Mr C. P. Trevelyan, said that the police raided the premises of the British Socialist Party and seized leaflets intended for distribution at the Labour Conference at Nottingham, containing the party’s views on Labour’s policy, and a message from M. Litvinov. The leaflet contained statements calculated to lead to civil strife and g*ss misrepresentation of the Government’s attitude to the Russian people. The Government was considering the question of prosecution. He denied that a person claiming to represent a foreign Government was at liberty to engage in propaganda in this country. ELECTION COMING. MR HENDERSON’S PREDICTION. LONDON, January 22. Mr Arthur Henderson, addressing a conference of the Women's Labour League at Nottingham, said that he believed that a general election would be held between July and September. THE WAR CABINET. NOT TO BE FILLED AT ONCE. LONDON, January 23. The “Daily Chronicle’s” parliamentary correspondent saysj — The vacancy in the War Cabinet will not be filled immediately. THE FOOD PROBLEM. PUBLIC MEALS ORDER, A. ud N.Z. Cable Association and Router. LONDON, January 23. The Press Bureau states that tho new Public Meals Order institutes two meatless days weekly and prohibits the consumption of milk, excepting in tea, coffee and cocoa, for which persons must carry their own sugar. USE OF HORSEFLESH ENCOURAGED. (Received January 24, 8.10 p.m.) IvONDON, January 23. It is reported that the authorities are encouraging the slaughter of horses lor food. THE NEW ARMY. COMING PROMOTIONS. LONDON, January 23. The “ Daily Mail ” says the authorities have decided to promote officers of tho new army to higher commands shortly, beginning by creating a number of brigadier-generals.

SPELTER. 4 CONTROLLING ORDER EXTENDED A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Router. LONDON; January 23. Tho Minister of Munitions (Mr Winston Churchill) has extended the orders controlling spelter to all zinc and compounds. WAR BONUS. ADVANCES TO PIECE WORKERS. (Received January 24, 11.50 p.m.) , LONDON, January 23. The Press Bureau states: —The War Cabinet lias decided from January 1 to pay n. bonus of 7£ per cent to all piece-workers engaged in munition work, except, the iron and steel trades, provided that any bonus or war advance, which in the case of time workers is merged in their recent grant of 12£ per cent, shall also mergo in the present bonus of piece-workers. A special conference of employers and employees in the iron and steel trades is being called to consider tile form in which this bonus shall be applied, and regarding the settlement in those trades of the 121 per cent bonus. ARTHUR ASQUITH. PROMOTED FOR GALLANTRY. (Received January 25, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, January 24. Colonel Arthur Asquith, who was severely wounded in France, and had his foot amputated, lias been promoted Brigadier-General. lie won two bars to his Distinguished Service Order. DISAPPEARED. NEW ZEALAND OFFICER MISSING. (Received January 25, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, January 24. Captain Charles K. Ward, who disappeared recently, belongs to tho New Zealand Dental Corps. Inquiries suggest that lie may still be alive, as lie was seen after the discovery of his abandoned bicycle.