GENERAL COMPULSION BILL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16685, 4 May 1916, Page 5

GENERAL COMPULSION BILL.

LONDON, May 2. Mr Asquith told the House of Commons that a general and immediate Compulsion Bill -would be introduced to-morrow. The Prime Minister also stated that the naval and military efforts of the Empire since the beginning of the "war had resulted in 5,000,000 men joining the service.

Sir E. Carson said he did not doubt that the country was making gigantic efforts, but it h&d not done enough to win. the war. Mr Asqtdth could have got these powers for compulsory military service a year ago. No juster scheme was possible. Sir John Simon said that the Bill was the outcome of political expediency, not ol necessity, but he agreed that it was the logical consequence of the January measure. THE VITAL HOUR,. SPIRITED MANIFESTO. LONDON, May 2. The British Workers' National League, m a spirited manifesto signed by Mr Will Crooks, M.P., Mr Hodge, M.P., Mr Stanton, M.P., Mr Walsh, M.P., Mr H. G. Wells, and others, appeals to capitalists and workers to follow the imperishable example of the overseas Britons and hasten to arms.

" The time was never so critical for the Mother Land," says the manifesto." '< It is the supreme and vital hour calls for ungrudging service from all her children. Let not that appeal be made in vain."