SEEKING A SOLUTION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13973, 20 April 1916, Page 3

SEEKING A SOLUTION.

A \STTGGESTND COMPROMISE. LONDOX, April 19. Mi- Churchill returned from France and visited JSir Lloyd-George, using a side door m. order to avoid publicity m Downing street. He then had a conference with Sir Edward Carson, with whom lie was seated m the front Opposition benches when Mr Asquith explained that there were still points outstanding without which" a recruiting statement would be incomplete and inadequate.

Mr Asquith agreed with (Sir Edward Carson's suggestion of a Cabinet statement on Wednesday and a discussion on Thursday.

Tho Parliamentary Labor Party met last evening and after a prolonged discussion resolved against an extension of compulsion, thus threatening the resignation of .three Labor Ministers.

It is understood that Mr LloydGeorge proposes a Compulsion Bill, With a. proviso that its power will only be exercised if the yield of 'unattested married men under the new voluntary reoruiting plan, falls below 501.000 monthly.

The Laboritea refuse to accept this. The Daily Chronicle sta-tes that a committee of the Cabinet instigated the Army Council's requirements, but refrained from expressing an opinion on general compulsion. The tone of the report', however, suggested that they regarded the plans as unsuitable for the future, though military needs for several months conld be satisfied by* the enlistment of lads of 18 years, attested married men, and the "retention of timo-expired men, but the Army Conned desires to be guaranteed a steady inilow of men up to December. Later: The lobbies at St. Stephens were excited throughout this afternoon and evening. .'■'•■, The attitude of Mr Bonar Law and the Unionist members of the Cabinet is expected to be largely influenced by a meeting of the Unionist .War Committee, at which Sir Edward Carson and 125 members wera present. . The speeches showed that a majority of the Unionists are determined to insist on a final solution of the recruiting question, though Lord Hugh Cecil struck a note of extreme caution. '

Later m the evening the situation became somewhat easier owing to the efforts of the Cabinet Committee formed m tho ..morning, consisting of Mr Asquith. Lord Kitchener, Mr Boijar Law, Mr Lloyd-George, and Mr Rnnciman, to try and find a solution. The. Daily Mail and Daily News state that the committee placed the position before the militai«y chief s, explaining the measures favored by a majority of the Cabinet. The military c-hiefs. notably General Robertson expressed dissatisfaction, believing these measures would not secure the requisite numbers, of: men. The committee finally decided to suggest to to-morrow's Cabinet the following compromise: —

"That general compulsion will not be introduced at present, but, if the existing aaid the new measures do not .provide sufficient men, there will be no further opposition to compulsion for -married men." ; . ' (London Times and Sydney Sun Services) ? . LONDON, April 19. _ .The limes, m a leader, says: "The fortunes of the struggle and the fate of -bngland and tho -Empire hangs on Mr Asquith's announcement. To-day the Empire has reached a .point when he must 'state whether lie intends '.to 'straighten the confusion of the present recruiting method and maintain the forces indispensable to victory. Prodigious efforts to mako the plain requirements of the military situation square with the exigencies of the situation have, we believe, failed, and nothnig short of n single comprehensive nVeamire of universal service will satisfy tho situation.

Labor, apparently,' is divided regarding compulsion. Mr John Hodge, interviewed to-day, said: "If the Government r tells us general conscription is the only way to win the war 1 do not think- there will be any objections. The unions will be with the Government if the need of men is so pressing." The Independent Labor Party, on the other hand, declares that the National Service Act must be repealed. ,: „ The newspapers foreshadow a Unionist Cabinet, Including Mr Lloyd-George, and * general election m May. The Daily Cliax>ni<jle days unless Cabinet decides on compulsion Mr Lloyd - George and Mr Bonar Law and.ot'uer Unionist members will resign.. .