MAN POWER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 16

MAN POWER.

Tho British Army Estimates provide for 5,000.000 men.

In the House of Commons, Mr Macpherson (Uncler-secretary for tho War Office), in introducing the Army Estimates, said the British captures for 1917 "included 168 heavy howitzers. 68 heavy guns, 437 field guns, 1055 trench mortars, and 2842 machine puns. Tho Labour Corns now numbered 250,000. At least 2,000.000 tons of shipping would bfr saved in 191 S. During the year nearly 7,000,000 men, 500,000 animals, 200,000 vehicles, and 9.500.000 tons of stores had been conveyed to the various fronts. The British Naval Estimates provide for 450,000 men.

The Amalgamated Society of Engineers has rejected tho Government's man-power proposals by 121,017 votes to 27,470. Though other unions are disappointed at tho vote, they may possibly be satisfied if Sir Auckland decides will give them an assurance that no final decision will be reached they also are consulted. Tho president of the Scottish Miners' Conference- announced that large majorities in the various mining districts had balloted against the Government's man-power proposals. The Durham miners decided to support the man-power proposal to supply 50,000 Class A men selected by tho miners organisations. IMPERIAL WAR CABINET. In the House of Commons' Mr Bonar Law announced that tho holding of an Imperial War Cabinet in 1919 would afford an opportunity to hold an Imperial Conference. A PROMISE TO SERBIA. His Majesty the King, in receiving a Serbian industrial mission, said the British Empire had not forgotten and would never forget the heroic resistance of the Serbian nation. "After the war," he said, "you may count upon the closest commercial relations with Great Britain, which -will bo entirely free from the ulterior motives which inspired tho commercial relations of tho Central Empires with their weaker neighbours. We are confident that before long Serbia will be re-established." THE INDIAN EMPIRE. The keenest interest is growing throughout India in everything pertaining to the v/ar. All her strength is gradually being brought, to the aid of tho Empiro and the Allies, and women are playing an increasingly important part in war work. The latest recruiting figures disclose remarkable enthusiasm among the fighting classes, and the flow of contributions from India s princes and rulers continues unabated.