IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 282, 21 April 1913, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE TERRITORIALS.

COMPULSORY SERVICE OR CON-

SCRIPTION?

'By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.

Received 20, 5.5 p.m. London, April 19. Lotfd Roberts had an extraordinary ■ reception at Leeds. Three thousand wel- • conidd him at the Town Hall, and 30,000 .at 'Victoria Square, where he made a •speech. Cinematographed on a huge •screen, he'said that the reception was a •sign; ef a-great revolution of, public opinion. Seven months earlier it seemed beyond human power to rouse the country as ;to the torpor of the youth of the :.nation. The politicians forming the 'Cabinet wrere.mostly blind. In Roman history the word "conscription" was a badge of'honor. He compared the pro-, posed ertizen army with the Continental system, and declared that it was unfair and unpatriotic to,describe national service as '-'Slavery" or '-'a blood tax." It would be exclusively for home defence, :anfliWoUl'd neveribe required to deal with •strikers.

'Mr. Arthur 'Lawley seconded the resolution, vdiifili was carried with enthusiasm. 'Mr. Lawley said that when Canada, 'New and Australia sought •to strengthen the naval and military forces, it was not in a spirit of miliiatftem .or ; aggrandisement, but in order itbat when England'-s voice was raised in the councils of nations She might be en--afaled t® 'insist -upon peace. Lord Escher jias resigned the chairmanship «f the London branch of the "Territorial Association. Field-Marshal Kic'holsoa "will succeed him. The branch .adapted a resolution in favor of the adoption of some system to increase the Territorials.

The Right Hon. C. E. Hobltouse, speaking at Bristol, denied the necessity for -compulsory service. There were no .commitments of any sort with Continental nations. , The Dominions' action had -enormously reduced the possibility of a call upon the Motherland. The Right Hon. A. Ure, speaking at Bromley, said that the next Budget would be that of IfflO over again. Mr. Lloyd George intends to devote £20,000,000 to social reform.

THE HOUSING BILL.

Received "20, 5.5 p.m. London, April 19.

In the House of Commons the Housing Bill, framed by the Unionists, passed its second reading by 181 to 41. The Right Hon. W. H. Long promised that a Conservative Government would favor State grants to local authorities. Mr. John Burns opposed the Bill on the ground that it was bassed on a pernicious system of doles.