NEWSPAPER COMMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXX, Issue 146126, 5 December 1916, Page 3

NEWSPAPER COMMENT.

LONDON. Monda

The Daily Telegraph, discussing the root causes'of the political crisis, says: " Kvory problem is traceable to the lack of organised man-power. We now renin re a "-'moral levy of our man power, and possibly our Avoman power also. The nation must be organised from end to end, with the sole aim of av'ilining the war. Owing to the partial lailure of the harvest in America, Aye must get most, of our grain from Australia, necessitating a voyage three or four times as long. In every direction the cry is for men reouirod to build battleships and merchant ships, and to man both tleets. There is now a tug-of-Avar between the Admirultv and the Board of Trade, both of Avhich'state that their difficulties are due to the War Office, which has Avoakenod the shipyards. Somebody must be appointed superior to the con dieting claims of the War Office. Admiralty, and Board of Trade. Similarly the Admiralty three years ago decided that every merchant ship should be armed. The Admiralty Avas told that the guns Avoitld be forthcoming Avhen the requirementts of the Army were satislied. The publis demand for anti-aircraft guns had added na tulditioiral cuibarrassjme'nt. This has created another impasse between the three departments. The office controlling the food supply has been offered to half-a-dozen men, but all have refused, owing to the doubt regarding the power to over-rule the Admiralty. War Office. Ministry of Munitions, and Board of Trade. 'Regarding aviation, the Navy claims' the right to manufacture special aircraft. Therefore, it must have complete control of its own air service. The Air Board claims it must regulate the design :md supply of all aircraft. The Army and Navy, under the present conditions, are undoubtedly in undesirable competition in placing the orders for aircraft betAveeu the Admiralty and the War Office."

The situation improved later on Sunday, and there is now reason to believe that Mr As-quith, Mr Bonar LaAV, and Mr Lloyd George -will remain in their respective offices, Sir Edward Carson becoming a member of the War Council in tho Cabinet Avithout portfolio.

The Daily Chronicle says: "The changes in the Government Avill not bo numerous. It will include a small War Council with executive poAVcrs, and tho strengehtning of the Labour element in the Government. Mr Asquith makes a brief statement in the Hous of Commons to-day. Possibly Mr Bonar Law and Mr A. .1. Balfour Avill exchange offices. If so, the War Council Avill consist of Mr Asquith, Mr Lloyd George, Mr Bonar Law. and Sir E. Carson.''

Tho Daily Chronicle protests at the way Mr Asquith is daily assailed in ca*ery circumstance of A'ulgarity by the Northcliffe press-.