IN BRITAIN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1276, 15 March 1918, Page 8

IN BRITAIN.

MOMENTOUS DECISIONS PENDING By Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, March 13. Sir Compton P.ickctt, addressing the Free Church Congress, said that the Premier at present needed the nation’s undivided support. Decisions of the utmost gravity, affecting the whole future life of the Empire, would be taken during the next week, even during the.next few days. He was not speaking of any Immediate, or catastrophic, danger, but of something which must be faced. The decision between the Entente and the enemy was hanging in the balance, and a solution might come more rapidly than they thought. It is noteworthy that Sir Compton Rickett had just come from conversing with Mr Lloyd George. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, March 13. Mr Lloyd George, speaking at the Free Church Conference at the City Temple, replied to criticisms contained in some recent speeches, notably the charge that the Governme'nt had not attached sullicient importance to the League of Nations movement. The Premier declared that such a League could not be obtained by calling for it. The Bolsheviks thought it could, and allowed the army to become disorganised, with a result that they lost half their own nation. There was no warmer advocate of a League of Nations than the Kaiser, but his idea was a League headed by Germany. Unless the Allies’ war aims were realised, a League of Nations would be a sham, but if their ideals were realised, the League would be an established fact. The Premier deprecated harassing Criticisms of the Government, and asked for fair play. PRICE OF CATTLE. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Rec. March 13, 10.0) LONDON, March 14. The Rt. Hon. Lord Rhondda (Food Controller) announces that the maximum of 75/- per cwt. live weight for first grade cattle, or the equivalent in dead weight, will not be lowered before June, 1919. USE OF TONNAGE. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Rec. March 15, 10.30) LONDON, March 14. The Press Bureau states that for the purpose of obtaining the most effective use of tonnage, the Allied Maritime Transport Council, with Lord Robert Cecil presiding, met at London on March 11, and is still sitting. FOOD CONTROL. (Rec. March 15, 10.45) LONDON, March 14. The Rt. Hon. Lord Rhondda (Food Controller) says that when general rationing is enforced on April 7 those engaged in hard physical labours will have an extra 50 per cent, of meat, chiefly bacon, and those engaged in very hard hysical labours 100 per cent, extra. This was made possible owing to the voluntary self-sacrifice of the people of the United States and the rationing scheme in London, which was a great success. THE WAR LOAN. (Rec. March 15, 11.5) LONDON, March 14. In the House of Commons, Mr ■ Bonar Law stated that as a result of last week’s campaign the sales of war bonds and war certificates amounted to over £138,000,000. THE EDUCATION BILL. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Rec. March 15, 11.10) LONDON, March 14. There was an animated and favourable debate on the Hon. Dr H. A. L. Fisher’s Education Bill. Dr Fisher said that, unless the half-time system in Lancashire and Yorkshire were attacked, the Education Board could not work the Bill. The hours of industrial toil must be Trailed during the elementary school life. The cost of raising the school age was estimated at £1,000,000, and the, cost of the continuation classes nearly £9,000,000, while the nursery schools would cost £900,000. In addition to making school compulsory until the age of 14. the Bill ordains that Jhose who had noi received whole-time education until 16 years of age, must attend day continuation schools for eight hours weekly until they reach the age of 18. This clause was arousing opposition in the north of England, particularly in Lancashire, where some masters fear the absence of child labour may seriously interfere with the cotton industry.

BREAD AND BEEF. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Rec. March 15, 12.25) LONDON, March 14. Mr Lloyd George, speaking at the Free Church Conference and answering a charge that the Government favoured beef as against bread, quoted the reduction in the beef barrellage, and added:—“ There can be no hesitation in the Government favouring bread if it must choose between them.” PLIGHT OF RUSSIA. GERMANS ENTER ODESSA. (Reuter) NEW YORK, March 13. German troops have entered Odessa. SPORADIC FIGHTING. (Reuter) AMSTERDAM, March 13. Berlin advices state that the activity on the Eastern front has discontinued, but there is intensified lighting against the enemy bands, especially in the Ukraine, where the Maximalist commandos include Czech and Austrian deserters. A severe battle with the Bolsheviks is proceeding north-east of Kieff, the principal combatants being Czech deserters, who have heavy artillery. A FALSE REPORT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Rcc. Mar. 15, 12.35) NEW YORK, Mar. 14. Reuter learns that there is no truth in the statement that Prince Lvoff has formed a Russian Government at Peking. [A recent cable message stated :—-The Smolny Institute (the Dolshevik Headquarters) reports that Prince Lvoff, an ex-Pre-mier, has formed a Government in the Far East. He is now in Peking, awaiting Japanese help to enter Vladlvostock. The “Pravda” states that the Soviets are hurriedly mobilising to resist the new Government,] ENEMY NEWS. A DEPRESSING OUTLOOK. (A. & N.Z.) ROME, March 13. Austrian newspapers admit that tuberculosis is raging in Vienna. Almost half the population is Affected* The “Tageblatt” has been suspended for declaring: “If we fail to win the war before summer we shall be lost.” JAPANESE INTERVENTION. FAVOURED BY FRANCE. (A. & N.Z.) NEW YORK, March 13. The United Press Association’s correspondent in Tokio states that France unconditionally favours Japanese intervention, while Britain’s favour is conditional on America’s approval. The Japanese Advisory Council has postponed its meeting pending advices from America. The political situation is satisfactory. Authoritative opinions expect intervention within a month. The Japanese regard the freed Austrian and German prisoners ' in Siberia as a growing menace. The newspaper “Jiji Shimpo” learns that the Germans are transporting the parts of five submarines to Vladivostock, and adds—“ Japan is the only Power able to check the Germans’ march seaward.” CASUALTIES. LIST ISSUED TO-DAY. Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 15. Casually List No. 809 was issued to-day. AUCKLAND DISTRICT. REPORTED DIED OF SICKNESS. PIONEERS. Paki Rimi (Taurau Paki, Mangapai, Whaugarel). HOSPITAL REPORT. CANTERBURY MILITARY DISTRICT. Removed from Dangerously 111 List.—Cpl. E. Stackhouse (Amberley). Still Seriously 111, Propressinsr Favourably.—D. H. R. Hunter (Murchison).