BEST USE OF MAN POWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16408, 9 December 1916, Page 9

BEST USE OF MAN POWER

CONTROL OF FOOD PRICES SUPPORT FROM LABOUR PARTY ROUMANIAN ARMY INTACT BLOCKADE OF GREECE INSTITUTED Mr. Lloyd George has definitely accepted office as Prime Minister, and is making good progress with the construction of a Government. The Liberal War Group has pledged its support, and Labour has officially decided to participate in the new Government, expressing the hope that a settlement of the Irish question will be attempted. Before deciding to support Mr. Lloyd George, the Labour Conference put him through a severe cross-examination. He said the only plank in his platform was vigorous prosecution of the war to a victorious conclusion. He proposes to establish a Labour Department, and contemplates State control of all industries and means of transport on land and sea in order to direct manpower in the best channels. Every effort is to be made to increase home-grown food, and prices will be rigorously controlled. Mr. Henderson, lately Minister for Tensions, will become a member of the War Committee, without portfolio. It is believed that the Roumanian Army is still intact. The evacuation of Bucharest was due to the congestion of the railways, preventing Russian reinforcements coming from Moldavia. The Roumanians have prepared successive lines of defence north-east of the capital, and on these it is falling back, and the Russians are concentrating to assist. The Russians have ceased their offensive in the Dobrudja, and are fortifying their new line. They are still attacking strongly in Moldavia, and have captured the enemy's first line ten miles from Gyimes Pass. It is officially announced that the allies have instituted a blockade of Greece, which wili be continued until reparation is made for the recent outrages in Athens. The form of the blockade is not stated. The Servians are steadily pressing their advantage north of Monastir, and have captured a series of strongly-fortified heights.