AUSTRALIANS IN FRANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3234, 8 March 1916, Page 18

AUSTRALIANS IN FRANCE.

LONDON, February 29. A batch of Australians connected with one of the siege batteries has left for the west front. It has been known for some time that the Aus> tralians in France would be rein, forced.

GERMAN ATTACKS IN DVINSK REGION.

REPULSED BY RUSSIANS

PETROGRAD, March 1

A communique states: We drove back the enemy and advanced a little near the village of Gasbunovka, in the Dvinsk region. The Germans, in serried ranks, advanced between lakes Alyen and Maimuss, but recoiled before our heavy artillery fire.

One of our destroyers in the Black Sea dispersed a convoy along the coast road.

COMPULSION IN BRITAIN

AIRING RUMOURS

LONDON, February 29.

Sir John Simon, in the House of Commons, said he believed that at headquarters it was said that nobody -would bo exempted from military service. Such an action Avas wasteful and uneconomic. If the War Office wanted to imitate Germany it should imitate her efficiency, not her brutality. The Eight Hon. Mr Lough said the tribunals were moxe like the old pressgang than anything else.

Mr Tennant said in the House of Commons that the Government was trying to replace unmarried men in tho employ of reserved occupations by married men before calling up the attested married men. They could not win unless they got enough men.

In the House of Commons Mr Tennant said the Government did not consider it necessary to extend the age limit for enlistment.

Mr Long stated in the House of Commons that he was considering the advisability of establishing a moratorium for rent and other liabilities for married men under the Derby scheme.

POST-WAR PROBLEMS. LONDON; February 29. Mr M'Kenna, addressing the conference of the chambers of commerce, said " We have seen Germany during peace planning, preparing, and finally provoking war. We were dependent upon her for many trade essentials, but never again." The conference passed a resolution asking the Government to take counsel with the dominion Governments, and obtain their views as to post-war trade problems, such as reciprocal trading, relations with enemy countries, and control of enemy businesses within the Empire; also asking the Government to establish preferential reciprocal trading with the Empire, reciprocal trading between the Empire and our allies, favourable treatment of neutrals, and tariff restrictions against enemies, making pre-war conditions possible, and urging the stimulation of home industries and increased employment for native labour. Mr M'Kenna told the conference that the Government was prepared to assist in the development of foreign trade and to prevent enemy countries from controlling it as in the past. The conference carried a resolution affirming that the strength of the Empire lies in the ability to furnish its requirements from its own soil and factories.

ITALIAN CO-OPERATION. LONDON, March 1.

The Times' correspondent at Rome states that interventionist groups of Deputies have adopted a resolution deploring the absence of any concrete pact, and pledging Italy's" complete cooperation; that close co-operation is essential to victory, and urging a declaration of war against Germany.