ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT CRITICISED.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13790, 10 June 1915, Page 5

ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT CRITICISED.

SMITHFIELD PORTERS FOR MUNITIONS FACTORIES.

(Received June 10, 0.50 a.m.)

London, June 9

Mr. George Lambert, during the Munitions Department debate -said he hoped the widest possible powers would be given to the new Minister.' Apparently the ordnance department of the War Office had failed in their duty, and he hoped the Minister would have complete control of the ordnance department.

Sir A. B. Markham said Mr. Lambert's statement embodied a very grave charge. It showed that it would have been wiser had members been enabled to speak freely.

Sir A. B. Markham incidentally asked the-Premier to give Parliament an opportunity to discuss the conduct of the war behind closed doors. He recalled the fact that the Allies' Parliaments were sitting in camera.

Mr. Asquith declined

A committee has been formed to organise 4000 men at Smithfield Market who have volunteered their services for spare time work at munition factories.

The engineers' society in the Glasgow district have notified their branches that members must recognise the munitions agreement in the broadest spirit possible, and do their utmost to accelerate the output of war material.

Tho Clyde cotton mills engaged on war contracts are not involved in the threatened .lockout.