BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 19515, 15 May 1922, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

THE AIRSHIP SCHEME AIK COUNCIL FAVOURABLE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association), LONDON, May 12. The Air Council has written to the promoters of the airship scheme announced in March exprawing their opinion that this scheme constitutes a notable advance on previous proposals for utilising airships. The council considers that provided six airships are rised and an airship base established in India, the scheme offers a reasonable prospect of the successful operation of a service with India. The council does not desire to discuss the financial aspects of the proposals. It is noteworthy that the letter does not refer to the prospects of extending the service to Australia. ADMIRALTY REDUCTIONS OFFICERS ASKED TO RETIRE LONDON, May 13. (Received May 14, 5.5 p.m.) The Admiralty announces that owing to the large reductions in the requirements in personnel for the fleet and the naval establishment generally, a large surplus of officers exists of certain ranks, and seniorities. The total surplus is approximately 1835, of whom 1429 belong to the executive branch. The Admiralty hopes that all officers in all ranks and seniorities affected having special chances of settling in civilian life or an exceptional opportunity of taking another career, will do so. Should the response to this invitation be insufficient, the requisite number necesstry to complete reductions will be selected and given the alternative to retiring on special terms or being placed on half-pay. WOMEN IN POLITICS MR CHAMBERLAIN’S SPEECH LONDON, May 12. Mr Chamberlain, addressing a women’s mass meeting, said division on political party lines or class interest would be disastrous, but division upon the lines of sex would be even more disastrous. As a result of post-war extension of the suffrage. the electors in Britain now com(prised 20,000,0C0 men, and women in large Inumbers, thus the newly enfranchised must be assimilated before the franchise could be further extended. Peace had not come to Europe. Continuing, he said: “I do net know who can predict the final outcome of the Genoa Conference, but the prospects now are not very hopeful. I claim ycur respect for Mr Lloyd George’s courage and willingness to sacrifice himself in undertaking the Genoa Conference at ths height of his reputation.” Mr Lloyd George, he said, had done his utmost to take further steps towards restoring the peace of Europe, and rehabilitating the economic position in Ireland and the British Government, supported by a vast majority of the House of Commons, had tried to make peace on the most generous terms compatible with the Crown's sovereignty and the Empire’s unity. From the date of the signing of the treaty the British Government stood loyally to it, and interpreted it patiently and generously in the interests of Ireland. The time had now come when they might expect the Irish signatories not only to show good faith but power in carrying out the treaty. It was urgent that the Provisional Government must actively and resolutely, at all coats, protect their citizens.