THE GREAT ISSUE

North Otago Times, Volume CII, Issue 13460, 3 January 1916, Page 6

THE GREAT ISSUE

, LABOUR'S ATTITUDE. BIG CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY. WILL DISCUSS PREMIER'S STATEMENT. LONDON, December ,10, iA most important Labour Conference is sitting to-night on the compulsory military service, question, and it has a most representative attendance. Mr A, Henderson to-morrow is to report its finding to the Cabinet. LONDON, December 111, The Labour Conference - has issued a statement to the effeet that it very fully discussed the Government's proposal, and agreed that the importance of the issue was so serious that a decision on behalf of the Trades Union Labour movement could only be reached by a national. conference representing the whole movement. This has been summoned to meet in London on Thursday, after Mr Asqiiitli has inaile his statement, in the House of 'Commons. Mr Gosling will preside, and the proceedings will be private. A statement afterwards will be given to the Press. . 1 The Parliamentary Labour Party concurred with tlie decision, particularly in view of the very pronounced resolution passed bv the Trades Union Congress in September.

TIIK CONFERENCE DISCUSSION,

LONDON, December ,'IJ, Labourites are. extremely reticent, but there are indications that .there was n prolonged controversial discus,sion. Some regnriled' tlie generous response of recruits as sufficient to keep the authorities hnsv training tlieni for the next few months, Others urged tliat the Balkans campaign had considerably enlarged the requirements of the Army, It is expected that Lahour will support a modified form of compulsion, ami asks the concession ol' a further I'our weeks of voluntary enlistment before compulsion is introduced, \

INVITATION TO LORD KITCHENER PROBABLE. EXPLANATION OF CABINET'S DECISION DESIRED, Received January .2, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, January L It is probable that Lord Kitchener will lie invited to attend the Labour Conference on Thursday in order to oxplnin the necessity for compulsion for single men. HURRIED CABINET MEETINGS, TEXT OP THE BILL FORECASTED. Reeceived January 'J, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, December 111. Tlie Cabinet met twice on Friday, The evening newspapers iinderßtiiiid that the Compulsory Bill will compel all unmarried men under forty years of age to join the army. SIR JOHN SIMON'S POSITION. LABOUR CIRCLES STRONGLY HOSTILE, RILL TO BECOME LAW IN JANUARY. CABINET CRISIS VIRTUALLY OVER, - Received January 2,5.5 p.m. 1 LONDON, January I. Sir John Simon was absent from both Cabinet meetings.- ■ . Mr McKcunn and Mr Rniiciinan have decided I hat they have no reason for resigning, but Sir John Simon is reported to be considering "the position, if he has not, as rumoured, actually tendered his resignation, Cabinet's adopted policy regarding compulsion is meeting with 'general approval, Mr Asqnith will have the support of the United Cabinet in the event of Sir John Simon's withdrawal. Labour circles are strongly hostile. In the event of the Labour Congress opposing the Government's decision, Sir Arthur Henderson will resign his sent on the Cabinet. The Bill will become law before the end of January unless unexpected opposition occurs. Received Janunrv 2, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, January I. Cabinet no longer fears ti crisis involving general resignation*, llintigli il agreed that Sir John Simon will resign. - It is understood that Mr McKeniin and Mr Runciman made fresh proposals yesterday as a condition of tiicir acceptance of compulsion, They propose to lower the limit that should be placed on the contemplated expansion of the army,

After hearing nrguuienfs ;inil pernsill); statistics, Cabinet decided to reconsider tlio. matter on Tuesday morn fog. - sSoinc .members desired 11 Bill to hplily to tlie married men wliohnve, not attested as well as the (io!),000 unniarried men, but this was regarded as going lieyond Mr Asquitli'jt [Hedge, so tin Cabinet derided to'eonlinc the Bill to tlie ])ledge, i Sir A. Henderson is holding aloof from tlie discussion in tlie Cabinet. He I'onsidei'H it. essential to redeem Mr Asipiith's pledge, but regards himself, as limiml l)y the vote of .tlie special Labour Congress,

,Labour members of the House of Coihinoiis generally -do jiot desire to force a general election or break with the Coalition .Government, but fear thnt the,' rank nnd lilt) of. the Labour Parly will not agree Willi them, Hesolutions by branch'societies indicate n strong feeling that has still to be overcome before Labour accepts compulsion.- •

Irish Unionists strongly oppose the omission of Ireland from the scheme on the'grounds-that suMi.'would be a national disgrace, . ■The Railway Clerks' Association has' tabled a resolution for consideration b\j tlie Labour 'Conference, entirely disapproving of tlie policy of cooperation Avitli other political parties iu the recruiting campaign. : ' KIX(I RETURNS TO LONDON. ' LONDON, December ill. : Tlie .King's return from Samlringli/ini ..is "associated with','! the Cabinet 'crisis, Ili; immediately granted an audience In Mr Asqllitli. 1