MARRIED MEN CALLED UP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 21

MARRIED MEN CALLED UP.

"KNOW WHERE THEY ARE." LONDON, May 30. There were stirring scenes at Whitehall in connection with the calling up of married men between 27 and 35. Most of the men were strong, healthy, and vigorous, and all in the best spirits. Though o-lad that their turn had come, they knew just where they were. The men were allowed their choice between artillery and infantry. Married men to 41 years of age will be called up on June 30. Many women are replacing their husbands, who have devoted recent weeks to training. The wives and others are starting munition work. Many wives with children have been forced to break up their homes and are returning to their parents. WHITSUNTIDE HOLIDAYS. LONDON, May 30. A conference agreed that the workers should be paid time and a-half during Whitsuntide, with a postponed holiday at full rates after July to be taken in batches. Where rooms have already been booked for Whitsuntide, as with the Clyde and Tyne workers, they will be saved a money loss. The Labour representatives conferred with Mr Lloyd George and agreed to postpone the Whitsun holidays to the end of July. FINANCING THE WAR. DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS. ■LONDON, May 29. In the House of Commons, discussing the Consolidated Fund Bill, members criticised the financing of the war on short-time bills, and they urged floating a permanent loan. Sir F. Bambury (City) declared that the feeling in the City was that the limit of safety as regards the issue of Treasury bills "had almost been reached. Mr M'Kenna, Chancellor of the Ex« chequer, said the Government policy could well be defended, but it was impossible to do so under the rules of debate. The Bill was reported without amendment. Mr M'Kenna, in moving an additional income tax of 2s in the pound on American securities, said the proposal was novel, but it was necessary to provide againsf the adverse balance of trade wit& America. The export of gold to meet th#

loans raised in America had proved insufficient, but the purchase of American Securities had operated with complete success, enabling us to pay our way and preserve a substantial balance in the United States for payment of our liabilities. British owners of American stock generally had come forward patriotically, but ihe recent week’s flow had dwindled to a mere trickle, and evidently some holders needed a spur to remind them of their duty to their country. The flow had already greatly increased, but if a tax of 2a proved an insufficient spur he would ask the House to raise the tax even to 2Ds. Sir E. Carson asked: Why not act now? Mr M'Kenna said there were great difficulties. Sir F. Bambury declared that the proposal was grossly unfair. The Government should not single out particular investments. We were returning to the days of “Isaac of York.” It was a bad precedent to use the income tax as a penal instrument. Mr William Rutherford (West Derby): The proposal is sheer robbery, dishonest, and mean. Let the Government introduce 'a Bill employing simple compulsion in the matter. Several members denounced the increased income tax on American securities as inequitable and revolutionary. Others, however, argued that when men were compelled to serve in the army, the least the Government could do was to compel the sale of securities in order to provide them with munitions and food. The opportunity to sell stock was a groat opportunity to serve the country. The tax passed without a division. INTERNED GERMANS. LONDON, May 29. In view of the dearth of agricultural and other labour, a suggestion has been made that it would bo expedient to employ the 15,000 German prisoners of war and the 32,000 interned civilians who are How held in England. Germany is finding occupation for about a million prisoners, while the sole German prisoners working

under British control are a few who are relieving the congestion at French ports. Lord Newton, chairman of the Prisoners of War Committee, feels that prisoners could be employed on a large scale. lie recently induced the Home Office to agree to an experiment whereby Cheshire and Shropshire farmers may engage interned aliens in agriculture at current rates. So far no response has been made by farmers to this offer. The average number of interned prisoners at Alexandra Palace is over 3000, and the official report states that only one death occurred during a year. The newspapers contrast this state of affairs with conditions at Wittenberg camp.