Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 75, 26 February 1918, Page 5

Great Britain

SOCIALIST CONFERENCE.

FREEDOM FOR ALL.

Press Association—Copyright, Austra

lian aud N.Z. Cable Association

London, February 24

The inter-Allied .Socialist Conference's decisions included the following:—

That the return of the colonies 10 their pre-war possessors, or such exchange and compensations which might be effected, should not impede the making of peace. Those colonies that have been taken by conquest from any belligerent must be r 'made the subject of special consideration at a peace conference, in which the. communities in their neighbourhood will be entitled to take part. By a clause in the treaty of peace on this part, they must secure economic equality in such territories, for the peoples of all nations, and thereby guarantee that none will be shut otit from legitimate access to raw materials and be prevented from disposing of their own produce, or deprived of their proper share in economic development. REPLY TO LABOR UNIONS. SMASH AUTOCRACY. Press Assn.—Copyright.—Australian Cable Association, (Received 8.50 a.m.) New York, February 20. Mr Gompers received a message from the head of the German trade unions inviting American Labour to discuss peace. Mr Gompers replied: "We cannot talk now. Either you smash your autocracy or we will smash it for you." REPRESENTATION CRITICISED. (Received 8.55 a.m.) London, January... 25. The Daily Telegraph's Labour correspondent, criticising the Inter-Allied Socialist Conference, says : It is doubtful whether all the delegates, endorse the application of the finding to the claims of their own nationalities. The Independent Labour Party refused to participate because it was proposed to exclude separate Socialist representation from future international meetings. American Labour intimateu that the time had not come to parley with the enemy. Finally, the absence of the Dominions' delegates was deplorable, as they could have represented most important opinions upon the future possession of the German colonies. The dominions had given the best of their manhood, and had every right to lie consulted on a matter so vitally concerning their future existence.

AMERICAN APPROVAL.

SUPPORT OF THE WAR.

Press Association—Copyright, Austra

lian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received 9.1 u a.m. ) Washington, February 24

The American Workers unanimously approve of Mr Gompers' reference to discuss peace with the German workers. The invitation was received through the Dutch labour leader, who reported that similar invitations had been sent to the British and French labour leaders.

Mr Gompers points out that tin.Germans would not allow' a delegate to leave Germany unless he was the too! of autocracy. America would gladly attend an Allied labour conference for the purpose of speeding up the war.

ACUTE FOOD SHORTAGE.

Press Association. -Copyright, Austra

lian and N.Z. Gable Association (Received 8.-50 a.m. ) Lotidou, February 25

The War trade Board announces that as the result of the American embargo on food exports from Northern Euro pea u Neutrals to Germany the cut of 04 to So per cent, out of the additional restrictions is expected further to increase the acuta food shortage.

GENERAL ITEMS. The navy estimates provide for an additional 16,000 men. A second bar to the Military Medal has been awarded to J. Matthews and the following New Zealanders: Sergeants W. N. Thorn, \V. H. Burrows, J, T. Gearside, J. Scott; Sapper T. E. Linney-Wonds, Corporal G, H. Bager. and Private T. J. Parsons. Military Medals have been awarded to 34 New Zealanders. Mr Asquith, addressing the Liberal party's agents on the necessity for preparing for a general election when the new register, doubling the number of voters, was completed, said that the Liberal party was not going to be or $q its

identity in the new embryonic political combination. Its continued independent activity was never more necessary, as the multiplied and complicated problems of peace reconstruc-. tion would soon confront us. I In connection with the rationing scheme, the problem of soldiers on, leave has been satisfactorily solved, by a special meat ration of eight ounces daily. It is found impossible to, allow heavy workers a bigger ration without unduly restricting the whole population, but .in additional allowance to heavy workers is regarded as the iirst necessity, when supplies increase.

The experiment nf rationing Lon-

don's ten million inhabitants is starting to-morrow, and is anxiously awaited. Long queues are securing the necessary tickets and there were also enormous queues throughout the day at butchers and grocers, endeavoring to increase their stocks before rationing becomes effective.