MR BONAR LAW

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10002, 20 June 1918, Page 5

MR BONAR LAW

ON WAR SITUATION TRIBUTE TO FRENCH AND AMERICANS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z, Cable Association(Recfiived Juno 19, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 18. In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law, in moving the vote of credit for £500,000,000, said the daily average exenditure for tlie current financial year was £6,848,000 compared with tho estimate of £6,986,000, thereby saving £9,500,000 to mid-Juno. While the reduction must not he relied on for the remainder of the year, it might be taken as a general indication of tho position. “Our votes of credit,” said the Chancellor of ! the Exchequer, “have risen alarmingly. The total is now £7,132,000,000. Tho present vote should suffice till the end of August. The debt due front our Allies is £1,370,000,000, and from the Dominions £200,000,000.” Continuing, Mr Bonar Law said the Austrian offensive was part of an intensive oifensive now proceeding on all tho battle fronts. It was too soon to say the danger was past. Three months had elapsed since the first German offensive had begun on the West front; and we were now able to be confident regarding the future. Tho Germans had three objectives—Paris, the Channel ports, and the severance of the Anglo-French armies. We had yielded ground, but the enemy had not attained a; single objective. The results justified tho united command.. Tho enemy wanted to use up our reserves before tho Americans arrived, but already they had failed because the Americans were not coming—they had come. He paid a tribute to tho rapid, ity of the American troops’ arrival, and said it would be impossible for the enemy to win by wearing down our reserves before he had exhausted his own. _ The universal feeling was that our airmen wore the best on any front and we were rightly proud of them. Germany had been laying all bis hopes of success on the submarines. All this had been changed. Tlie memace still existed, hut the construction of ships in April and May exceeded tho destruction. There was no danger, so far as foresight could see, of Germany starving Britain into submission. Germany had em barked on unrestricted submarining because she believed America could not arrive in time to give serious help. Gefmany was now shown to be wrong. The numbers of American troops arriving and to 1 come reach-’ ed figures which were considered impossible a couple of months ago. For the present there was a lull bn the West front. Our staff knew where the German reserves were, but the enemy railway communication was so good that it was impossible to fore, tell where the next blow would fall. “Our troops’ moral was never higher and it is impossible to speak too-high-ly of French valour in fighting to save H the Germans fail tp'ShbaT©’ i strategic’ objectives within"' "three'' months’ time the campaign would hav e failed, having proved the most disastrous advance they had ever launched.” (Cheers.) , - Mr Asquith advised the Government to give fuller information of the progress of events on all fronts. He wae not disposed to write Russia off the slate as a negligible quantity. Wo should, he said, employ all the resources of diplomacy and also giyo .naval and military assistance if necessary while the opportunity offered in order to build up friendly relations and an alliance with Russia, which was naturally our friend rather than Germany’s. The House should enable the Russian Democracy to realise that it had our sympathies. EXPLANATION BY MR BONAR LAW. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ‘ (Received Juno 20, 1 a.m.) LONDON, June 19. The House of Commons passed the vote of credit. Mr Bonar Law, in concluding the debate, said: “I am rather shocked to hear that everyone considered my speech optimistic. I did not mean to be. 1 meant to give an exact description of tlie position after consultation with the military authorities. I agree with Mr Asquith’s statement. The position is as critical as ever, hut I have a firm conviction that we shall come through.” MR HUGHESJN LONDON MAY REMAIN THERE DURING THE AVAR. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, Juno 18. The King gave an ii’udionco to Mi William Hughes and Sir Robert Borden at Buckingham Palace. It is reported that Mr Hughes is likely to remain iu England as Ministerial representative of the Commonwealth for the duration of the war. Mr Massey, on being interviewed, said he had not considered tho question of appointing a Minister in London for the duration of tho war. Mr Andrew Fisher, High Commissioner for Australia, questioned regarding press reports suggesting his transference to Washington, replied enigmatically, "I am the arbiter of my own fate, not a pawn in other men’s games.” IRISH AFFAIRS RECRUITING PROGRESSES., Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. DUBLIN, Juno 18. A parade of naval recruits in tho streets of Dublin attracted much attention in view of tho predictions that tho appeal for recruits will fail. The naval recruiting officers say that their visits to the counties wero everywhere well received. Henry Hughes, Ltd., 157, FeathorsfoA street, report the recent filing of the following n,rj)lic A ons for patents :-D. G. Dee, Auckland, improved wire straining device; Adamson Bros., Hastings, improved _ appliance for use as a water heater; 11. Preston, Maiiutuke, improvements in milk measuring moans; J, Mcßae, Christchurch, improved machine for use in making staples; ,T. W. Boyco, Napier, improved means for locking together intersecting wires, etc.; A. Hop. kinson, Napier, improvements in akv. .lights.