Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 82, 31 October 1918, Page 2

Great Britain

SECOND EDITION Continued.

THE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE.

GENERAL ELECTION TALK.

COALITION IN FAVOUR.

Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. * (Received 11.55 a.m.) London, October 30.

The Daily Chronicle states that the imminence of a general election led unofficial Liberals and Unionists to arrange a conference this week, with the object of maintaining a Coalition Government in power after the war. It is hoped it will bo possible to avoid many electoral contests. There is a widespread feeling that the complexity of post-war problems requires tiie pooling of the best brains of the country, and Party Government on pre-war lines would be a danger. It is generally recognised that the Administration needs strengthening, particularly on the liberal and labour sides. / V.C. AND D.C.M. i ' HONORS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS Press Assn.— Copyright—Austral i.n and N.Z. .Cable Assn, and Reuter. (Received 1.55 p.m.) London, October 30. | The Victoria* Cross was awarded to Sergeant R. S- Judson, Auckland Regiment. He led a small bombing party under heavy fire, captured a machinegun, proceeded to the s a P alone, bombing three machine-gun crews, and ordered the party (two officers and men) to surrender. They fired, and be threw bombs and jumped down among them. He killed two, put the rest to flight, and captured two machine-guns thus saving' the lives of the party and enabling the advance to continue unopposed. Fifteen New Zealanders were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

ILL-TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.

THE GOVERNMENT INDICTED.

REPRISALS URGED.

Press Assn. —Copyright—Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Router. (Received 11.35 a.m.) London, October 30.

In the House of Commons Sir George Cave, speaking on the maltreatment of prisoners, added : We ask nothing which a civilised Government would not give without being asked. If our demands are not granted, the Government will endeavour to give our gallant men in Germany the best possible protection, and avenge their sufferings.

Captain J. Craig said he regretted that his first act since his return from Germany was to make the strongest indictment against the Government for the treatment of the prisoners-of-war question. His experience showed that if the Government had done its duty, the lives of thousands of men might have been easy, instead of unutterably miserable. Germany only understood the argument of the big stick. Prisoners complained that the argument was never used in their interests. We must, he said, make it clear that the fullest justice would be done to all these inhuman wretches who treated the prisoners vilely and barbarously. We should take reprisals and firmly carry them out.

LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE.

Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 1.20 p.m.) , London, October 30. The Exchange is cheerful and buoyant, consols being quoted at 60g.