BRITAIN'S GREAT EFFORT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14208, 10 February 1915, Page 6

BRITAIN'S GREAT EFFORT.

PRIISS BUREAU CRITICISED,

Pros* Association-Electric Tclctrraph-Copvrtirln • LONDON, Tuesday. Mr JT H. Tcnnant, Parliamentary Tin-der-Secretary, speaking in tho House oi Commons, said the one thing above all others that the enemy wanted to kiioAv was tho number of mon opposing them iir*___» future. It was possible to make -» !B_»mputation in conscription counWiesßut it was not so easily done under England's happy voluntary system Ho hoped that nobody knowing the figures would bo so irresponsible as to divulge them. Our initial difficulty was, ho said, to provido sufficient accommodation for tho men who Hocked to tho colours. This difficulty was being .rraduallr overcome. When tho numbers of the troops brought from overseas scathless was known, it would be regarded as ono of tho most extraordinary feats of the war. The supply of horse*, would meet all future requireinoute. Mr Tcnnant testified to tho etiiciencT of the medical service, and concluded by saying: «Although we are unable to forecast what is in front ot «s; no one in tho House need he despondent. Wo aro all determined that the Allies should dictate peace. The nation's efforts are worthy of our past. Tho gallantry of our soldiers from tho hMirat to the. lowest has been worthy to°raak with the most glorious records of any army at any timo. Replying to Mr Long, Mr pennant stated that General Sir lan Hamilton was responsible for the Homo Defence. \ dobato followed on a motion condemning the Press Bureau for restricting tho freedom of tho press. Mr Buckmaster said tho motion was based oa tho charge that the Bureau had withheld information. On the contrary the Bureau had published instantly everything it had tho power to publish. Nothing was issued unless it was absolutely true. His first duty was to prevent the publication of news that would unduly depress the people, when tho news was out of relation to the true facts. Ho denied that ho used tho otfiee to shield his colleagues from critiMr Bonar Law asid it would be a oreat advantage if bulletins were regufarly issued, similar to those issued in Franco. He wondered if the Houso realised tie tremendous event the battle of Tpren was. We had, ho said, bigger lossoa there than almost in any battle in our history in which purely British troops were engaged, and out of which wo cams with great honour. It was timo the country know the details of $he battle.

The motion was negatived