REGISTRATION BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16433, 12 July 1915, Page 5

REGISTRATION BILL

TO STAND OR FALL BY ITSELF. GOVERNMENT'S HANDS ABSOLUTELY FREE. „ , LONDON, July 9. Mr Walter Long (President of the Local government Board), at a conference with the local authorities, said that some people believed that the Government's hands were tied in regard to compulsory service by Mr Asquith's answer on Monday in Parliament to Mr Alden denying that it was contemplated, but the Registration Bill would stand or fall by itself. Mr Asquith was the last person to say anything in the present situation which would prevent the Government from adopting compulsory service if it were found necessary to terminate the war. The Government's hands were absolutely free. Mr Long added that he would not remain in the Ministry if it hesitated to adopt any necessary measures.

Mr Long stated that the first draft of the Registration Bill had been compiled on information got. from the press. • The result had been indignant demands by women in all parts of the country to be included. In answer to a request to make the age limit 55, Mr Long stated that he had received numberless angry letters of protest from men over 65, because they were refused the privilege of serving the State. SPECTACLE FOR MEN AND ANGELS. CALL UPON ALL CHRISTIANS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, July 9. The Archbishop of Canterbury presided at a church council of clerical and Jay members of the Houses of Convocation of Canterbury and York. The Bishop of London moved a resolution that the council call upon all Christians for persistent public and private prayer, to undertake some form of national service, and to practise the utmost economy. They as a State fighting for their liberties and freedom would rather die than allow England to become a German province. The Empire had made many mistakes in the past, but the splendid spectacle of transports saiiing the seas from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and India bearing the Empire's sons to fight for the flag when we had been called a robber Empire, and of General Botha leading the British forces in South Africa, was a spectacle for men and angels.