MOTHER COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17948, 15 November 1918, Page 6

MOTHER COUNTRY.

BRITAIN'S WORE. MR BONAR LAW'S TESTIMONY. LONDON, November 13. In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law stated that the Government was closely considering the question of removing all restrictions. on the Press.. lie moved a, vote of credit for £700.000,000. He said he expected that the expenditure would bo less, but if this was the end of the war, some demobilisation expenses could be met out of this vote, also greater expenditure might be necessary in bringing food supplies to Europe. At October 19 loans , to Allies ' amounted to £400,000,000, and loans to the Dominions to £218,000,000. Britain's debts abroad did not now exceed one thousand millions. This she could easily bear. Her future depended to the extent to which Labour and Capital worked harmoniously together. Mr Bonar Law declared that the Empire's part Was greater than ever had been played by any country in the world. Ho paid a tribute to the Dominions and India for the part they had taken in the war. "The Dominions were fighting for an Empire as much theirs as ours," ,ho said.' " They are far away, but they sent troops, and what troops they are!" He emphasised the war efforte of tho Mother. Country. The Navy had played a decisive part in the blockade which sapped the whole foundation-of German life. No army had done as much as ours during the last two years. The spirit of the people of Britain .in tho darkest hours had been indomitable. We had won victory at a great price. .'MB LLOYD GEORGE, VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. LONDON, November 13. Mr Lloyd George, addressing two hundred Liberal and Unionist Commoners and peers, who carried a unanimous vote of confidence in him and the necessity of maintaining the coalition, urged that the great creative period after the war would give Liberalism a unique t opportunity. "Don't let Liberalism sulk over personal differences in God's name. What do _ they count compared with the great issues at stake?" The Premier paid a teibjute to the Unionists' patriotism durins.- the war. He was gratified at their promise of ; Co-operation. '"A .revolutionary spirit is in the air," ,ho said. "It wants direction. It can bo combated by ; the spirit which won the war—unity in co-operation and sacrifice." Every worker should be guaranteed a decent standard of living and reduced working hours. Tie pointed out that. clause 3 of the Wilson charter precluded economic war after the present war. Ireland had been sullen, refractory and foolish. Wo must approach this'question calmly, but there must be no coercion, in north-east Ulster. Referring to peace the Premier said that in no sense must a spirit of revenge "or greed mar the settlement. The League of Nations would make possible a reduction of armaments and get rid of conscription.

THE COMING -ELECTION. COALITION TO CONTINUE. LONDON, November 13. Mr Bouar Law, presiding at a meeting of Unionists, announced that the Government formed after the elections would be a coalition. A: resolution of confidence was carried in Mr Bonar Law's. leadership. , ; . An official statement issued on behalf of the Labour Party gays the cozn-

ing contest is manifestly a challenge Tho Labour Party did not desire an election till the war was really over. FORCES OF THE EMPIRE. PROMOTION OF COMRADESHIP, A. and tt.Z. Cablo Association and Reut»r LONDON, November 13. ' The War Office announces that conferences of representatives of the. Admiralty, War Ofhce, Air Ministry, Australian, Now Zealand, Canadian, South African and Indian Imperial expeditionary forces appointed a committee, with General lan Hamilton as ; chairman, to report on the best method of fostering a spirit of comradeship and mutual help among all in the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. A committee has been formed, with Admiral Jollicoe as chairman, to consider tho promotion of comradeship throughout the Empire amoncr all serving in the present war. The latter committee consists of two members of the Imperial forces and five members representing India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand find South Africa. DEMOBILISATION. THE BRITISH SCHEME. LONDON, November 13. In the House of Commons Dr Addison in announcing tho demobilisation plans said that, tho Government had made provision for such unemployment as might decur. Ex-service men 'would bo entitled to unemployment benefits for a total of 2(3 weeks. Demobilisation must be governed by industrial requirements and broad social considerations. He announced that pivotal men in industries would bo brought back at the earliest moment, then men with places awaiting them. The. armies at heme and abroad would bo demobilised in equal numbers daily. He believed that tho process could bo carried out .vapidly. THfc WORKERS. GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. A. and N.Z. Cabla Association Pouter. (Received November 15, 12.15 a.m.) ■ LONDON, November 13. Mr Lloyd George addressed a meeting of representatives of Employers' Associations ''and trades unions of fifteen principal industries, including engineering, shipbuilding, coal mining, transport and railwaymen. He said the Government intended to carry out i the pledges 1 given in 1915 by which the trades unions relaxed certain practices for the period'Of the war.- Employers and worliers : of the • various trades ought to confer and arrive at an agreement. He added that the Government's policy was that during the immediate transition period the present level of wages, due to the high cost of living, should bo maintained for a! minimum period of sis months, unless j referred to an independent tribunal. "" '" , " WAGES. ANOTHER ADVANCE. A. md N.Z. Cablo Association and Rents: LONDON, November 13. The Committee on Production, owing to the increased cost of living, has awarded a further advance of 5s weekly for men of eighteen years and upwards and 2s Gd for boys and apprentices, engineering, shipbuilding, aircraft, chemical and other munition workers. MILITARY C&OSS. AWARDS TO NEW ZEAL-ANDERS. LONDON, November 13. Military Crosses have been awarded to the following New Zcalanders:—• Lieutenants S. W. N. Sievers. B. A. Todd and J. M. Watkins (Field Artillery). R. E. Fyfe (Otago), R. V. Hollis (Wellington), H. Miller (Auckland). CANADA'S PART--211,000 CASUALTIES. LONDON, November 12. The Canadian casualties in the war to dato are .211,000, of which 34,877 have been killed. The Canadian dead number twice the United States' total. RECRUITING. CEASES IN BRITAIN. . LONDON, November 12. British recruiting has ceased.