COMPULSION BILL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 20

COMPULSION BILL.

LONDON, May 10. In the House of Commons, at the committee stage on the Service Bill, Sir J. B. Lonsdale (Unionist member

for Mid-Armagh) moved to include Ireland. Sir E. Carson warmly supported the motion. Mr Asquitfa said that, once the prin» cipie of conscription was accepted, a new case was made for extension to Ireland, but he preferred r.oi to nccept the motion, "as it would provoke contention, and many Nationalists were opposed to it. Mr Redmond declared that he had done his best for recruiting, and all parts of Ireland had done wall. He was convinced that, in view of recfut events, it would be unwise and pos= sibly insane to apply the Bill to Ire. land. He besought the House not to consent to the proposal. The motion was negatived without a division. DUMA DELEGATES IN LONDON. THE KING'S ASSURANCES. LONDON, May 9. His Majesty the King, in receiving the Duma delegates, assured them that Britain was following with deepest admiration the marvellous feats of the gallant Russian troops. He rejoiced to think that British sailors were helping their Russian comrades. He hoped the Duma delegates were satisfied with the whole-hearted vigour in which the Empire was performing its part. Russia could confidently rely upon the hearty co-operation of the British. At the Government dinner to the Duma delegates, Mr Asquith, in proposing the toast of " Our Guests," said the most gratifying result of the alliance was the complete Anglo-Russian agreement on Eastern affairs. The enemy's efforts to weaken the Allies' confidence in each other were only clumsy and blundering. The Germans knew that if we were united we must conquer. In this knowledge we should stand together, however long and severe the test, until we had beaten to the ground the forces withstanding us. Then would begin a peace rebuilt in concert on the shaken fabric of European civilisation. ORGANISING EMPIRE RESOURCES. LONDON, May 10. At a British Workers' meeting Mr S. Walsh, M.P., will move, and Mr Crooks will second, a resolution acknowledging the overseas splendid heroic services, and cordially endorsing Mr Hughes's Empire Labour policy; also urging the organisation of the Empire resources in order to secure such a decisive victory as will ensure a lasting peace and national safety, guaranteeing for the workers the highest attainable standard of life. DURATION OF THE WAR. COPENHAGEN, May 10. The Ribestiftstidende, after careful inquiries, expresses the opinion that it is impossible for Germany to keep the war going till the end of the year, owing to the shortness of food. Already the soldiers' rations have been out down. There is very little meat. Most of the men on furlough appear physically weakened through insufficient food, but ammunition and arms are incredibly abundant. The shortage of horses hampers the artillery. There is great slackness in discipline, and drastic measures have been taken to prevent the desertion of officers and men. GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, May 10. The Daily Chronicle states that Major Churchill's battalion has been absorbed by another unit, and that Major Churchill will not seek a further appointment, but will resume his political duties. PARIS, May 9. A body of 163 Russian non-commisrioned officers and men who were prisoners in Germany, and were employed on various works on the French front, escaped. They were received with an ovation on reaching the French lines, women offering them flowers. COPENHAGEN, May 9. A fire in a factory at Alt-ona (near Hamburg) destroyed 63 aeroplanes. NEW YORK, May 9. Robert Fay, a German lieutenant, and Walter Scholz, his brother-in-law, leaders in the plot to wreck American munition factories and ships carrying munitions, have been sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. Daische was sentenced to two years. AUSTRALIAN FORCES. OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION. MELBOURNE, May 10. Senator Pearce submitted in Parliament a statement showing that up to May 6 a total of 189,000 troops had embarked, and 62,000 more were in training. He estimated that by the end of June Australia, would have raised 286,000 men for service abroad. The Government has rejected the War Committee's recommendation regarding fixing a definite date for reviewing voluntary enlistment. Confidential reasons are given for the rejection. ARRANGEMENTS WITH TURKEY. MELBOURNE, May 10. Senator Pearce has received a cable from the High Commissioner stating that the American Embassy in Turkey has been enabled to apply the funds received for comforts to Australian prisoners of war in Turkey. PENSIONS FOR SOLDIERS. SYDNEY, May 10. At the Labour Conference, Mr Holman

stated that the New South Wales Government felt that the commonwealth pension of 20s, a week for incapacitated soldiers was too small, and the State would supplement it by a similar amount. Referring to wounded men unable to follow their pre-war avocations, and whose pension would be less than their earnings previously, the State would supply the difference. The scheme will probably involve an animal expenditure of £750,000. MELBOURNE, May 10. In the House of Representatives (commonwealth) the Treasurer (Mr Higgs) stated that the Government had decided to increase the war pensions for incapacitated privates from 20s to 30s weekly, with corresponding increases in the higher ranks. IN FAVOUR OF CONSCRIPTION. MELBOURNE, May 10. In the House of Representatives, Mr Joseph Cook (Leader of the Opposition) presented the Women's National League petition in favour of conscription, containing 15,000 names. THE CRUISER BRISBANE. SYDNEY, May 10. Lieutenant-commander Owen Hare has arrived, having been lent by the British Admiralty for three years and appointed to the command of the cruiser Brisbane. He participated in the landing at Suvla and the evacuation of Anzac.