BRITAIN'S SPLENDID PART.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3995, 30 July 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN'S SPLENDID PART.

HER SHARE SI -TIE WAR REVIEWED.

STIKIK IEPLY TO CRITICS

SPEECH BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER.

MLUEB MWn WITH TH6 SITUiSTIOS)

munitions mmum well m hano.

REVIEW BY MW LLOYD CED It?. €IE

RUSSIAN AFI MY' } & MAGNIFICENT EFFORT.

ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE iG-AiRRIED.

(United Press Ass?.

ation.-— CopyrLghfc.J

LONDON, July 28. ot Commons w:is crowded. to-day in anticipation „f an historic resume ot the war by the Prime Minister (lit. Hon. 11 it." Asquith), in moving the adjournment until September 14.’ Mr Asquith, however, after justifying- the adjournment on i he ground that the Commons was not going in for holiday-makinu-hm liiat many.were going to duties even more important than those ai St. Stephcir's, declined to make a lengthy detailed statement regarding the present situation or future of the war. He said the success of the war loan had done as much as anything to convince the world, particularly the Allies that we were determined to devote the whole of our resources to the successful prosecution of the war. Since the outbreak of war the press with one or two melancholy, notorious exceptions—loud applause—had discharged its duties with admirable restraint. Members of the House of Commons also Had discharged their duty of criticism in an admirable patriotic manner. In justifying t-ue adjournment he alluded to the enoimous increase' in the number of questions, which involved an intolerable strain mi the State Departments. He regretted that the action ot the House of Lords necessitated the postponement ot i he Pensions Bill until after the adjournment, when he hoped ii would be carried by general consent. Meanwhile pension allowances would continue as before the war. The war would lie a contest of endurance. He would bo ungrateful and insensitive if he did not recognise at this moment the indescribably gallant effort's of our Pus-dan Allies to stem the talc of invasion and maintain inviolate the integrity of their position. He thought that in the whole military history there had not been a more >magnificent example of discipline, patient endurance, and both individual and collective initiative than had been shown by the R ussian Army in the eleven months. . . . Mr Asquith added that the Italians _werc_ steadilgaining ground and making a way towards their objective, winch lie Relieved would shortly be within their reach. As for ourselves and the Trench, we had been fighting side Rv side for a. year. He did not b dievo that there ever had been armies inspired by a more conipM-e and more unreserved spirit o; I'm t emit v and comradeship. or more confidence that viciory would ultimately he theirs. Our confidence in the (i alii poll operations was u udim inishea. The avail Position, The naval position was now fir stronger than before the war. Serious as the submarine menace might appear.iur the moment, ii was not going to inflict fatal or substantial injury on .British trade, and food and raw materia?.s ware coming as in times of peace. . , . iii Mr Asquith added that the recruiting ot th" army had been highly satisfactory. The latest recruits were amongst the best wc had seen for a' long time. The production of munitions had RiM-n organised on a basis which Re was satisfied would he adequate to our requirements. .Reviewing the twelve - of tli • war, Mr Asnuith asked whether tin re could he a-gre,tie; mi ninny than to suggest, that i he British people had not risen to die heigh is of a great occasion -cheers—but a still greater calumny was upon the Allies, to -suggest that (hey did not realise and appreciate to the full the contribution we were making to dm ultimate triumph of the common cause. Done]tiding, Mr Asquith said: “Let no one give encouragement to the faint-hearted. still b-ss to the hack-idlers, who arc lining what they can to dishearten the Allies and encourage our enemies. Ret ail continue in tin- spirit which lias'inspired our ,*ll’orls for twelve months, and persist and persevere to the inevitable triumphant issue.” —.Prolonged cheers'. . ■ [{,{.. JR ,‘-'ir 11. ,]. DahiA': ::mvn! as an a mend men t that the House* adjourn for a month. He said he was not satisfied with the position in Thunders. He understood there, was to he a great advance in the spring-, and he also wanted to know' why so much notice had been gram to ..ho Turks by the fleet s bombardment without. co*opei:aiion of land forces. It was impossible to keep silent longer, as he had not the confidence in' the (iovenirnent which he had nine months ago. M r Lloyd Dcorge. Re continued, had said the war would have been practice:ly over already if there had been adequate equipment: if so. who was responsible? Had anyone been cashiered ? Was it still a policy to use gas against the enemy? If so,.why the extraordinary ■delay? Moreover, nothing had been done to deal with the cost o. living, which was the root cause of discontent. leading to si lakes. Sir A. B. Markham, ill seconding the amendment. deplVu-ed Mr Asquith describing critics as back-biters. • Mr Asquith intervened, and said the expression did not refer Jo.-members of the House of Commons. Sir IT. J. HalzieH’s amendment was not . pressed, and Mr Asquith's motion was carried. Progress of Munitions. Mr Lloyd Ccorge then made a statement on the progress of munitions. He paid a tribute to the number of business men •who had given \ heir services. His work was two-fold, and eon>i .led of speeding up ’existing contracts and opening up fresh sources of sunplv. More work had been allocated than could lie digested. The census of machinery of the United Kingdom showed t h it only a few .of the machines employed on Government work used night shifts. The arrangement of two to three shifts daily in order to employ these machine would enormously increase the output. The Ministry, by arranging co-operative areas, had greatly increased the prospect of receiving sufficient shells for the Army. Within a few weeks sixteen national factories had been established. Under the scheme national factories would produce cheaper shells and have better control. There would Re less ■difficultv with labor in these national factories, working .side by side with private firms. Steps would be taken to create special factories to ikcrec-m the component part of shells, also machinery tools, whereof hitherto we had been alarmingly short. The new and great programme arranged at Boulogne would considerable fax the engineering resources of the country for some months." In the course of a few weeks the output' of shells

would have doubled, - and enable us to cleave a way to victory. The men were working- hard. He warned plotters to keep their . hands and tongues off the Ministry of Munitions. He begget to be allowed to get on with his work.— Cheers. (Received July 29, 3.30 p.m.) .. „ Mr Lloyd George stated that within a month thousands oi highly-skilled men who had enlisted had been brought iac - .iom the Army for munitions work and Lord .Kitchener had anangec for many thousands more to return to t he engineering shopspn the next few weeks. Mr Llovd George said lie regretted tha a piescn he could not make'a very satisfactory report regarding, the/relaxation of trade union rules and practices. The suspicion ot these practices would be equivalent to adding hundreds ot thousands of men to these yards. He was unable to make the men realise how vitally important it was without giving' ligates, which he did not dare to give. . ■ . , , The Minister pointed-out the solemn- undertaking given that trade union rules relaxed during the war would be fully restored m peace time. The Government .had also given an undertaking that rates of wages would not be reduced if the_.outnut was mAs a result of the conference at Boulogne the Government was setting up ten additional arsenals. T Mr Lloyd George continued that In* had established an inventions' Branch in conjunction with Lord Fisher’s Board. Bur* inn- the past month the men and women munition workers had increased by 40,000. Nearly half.of (hem were skilled workers. A hundred‘thousand voluntary munition workers had been enrolled. The hulk of them belonged to the engineering and shipbuildino* trades. The employers had raised objections regarding- 80,000 of the volunteers and a body of business men, representin'-' various trades, was now investigating the protests. The Minister of Mirations would Re satisfied it could use 20,000 volunteers, as it would mean industrial disaster to move men wholesale about the country.

WSTH THE GRAND FLEET. A YEAR OF LONGING AND WAITING. ARCHBISHOP OF YORK'S VISIT. ALL HANDS SPLENDIDLY KIT. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) (Received ,Julv 29, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 29. The Archbishop of York who has just, returned from a visit to the Grind Fleet, describes the silent vigil of the ships in the northern seas longing to meet the German shins, and says an indelible impression is left on heart and mind that the Grand Fleet is a world apart, with its own life and task and a wonderful incommunicable spirit, to share its life for a short time enables us to realise the sacrifice the officers and men are making for their country. For a year the licet has endured the strain of immediate readiness for battle, roaming ceaselessly the northern and western seas. Sailors’ leave of absence is almost impossible and many have not bad 18 hours ashore, though often within sight of their homes. A few, to the envy of their comrades, have had their day at the Doggerbank. off Heligoland. and at the Dardanelles. It is impossible to describe tile strain of waiting, yet. despite all, the men are cheerful and splendidly fit in body and spirit. ■ The organisation of the great fleet mobilised for war is something that cannot be realised unless seen.

Amongst the superiors in com in an 1 he did not hear the slightest criticism or the breath of jealousy, which justified the boast of the Vice-Admiral: “Wo are all a great band of brothers.” Added to the influence of this greattradition is the personality of Admifal Jollicoe—assuredly the right man in the right place. The officers and men give him most absolute trust and loyalty. Tie holds the first control of every part of the great fighting engine'.

BRITAIN’S DETERMINATION. WILL FIGHT TO THE ’LAST MANDISCUSSION ON COM PUT.SOM Y SERVICE. (Received July 29, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON. July 29. In the House of Commons, Mr F. Guest raised a discussion on compulsory service. Air Tennant, in reply, questioned whether any real necessity for an alteration in the voluntary system had as yet been demonstrated. He did not wish to close the door on compulsory service. Tile Government was prepared to achieve the successful issue of the war, even though it sacrificed the last man. MV Ellis Griffiths said the country was prepared for any sacrifice. It was for the Government to tell every man that the sacrifice was required.

AUSTRALIAN WAR PENSIONS. THE AMENDING BILL. (Received Julv 29, 8.20 p.m.) MELBOURNE, July 29. The War Pensions Amending Billintroduced in the House, provides for the inclusion of members of the medical corps and nursing staffs. The Pensions Board is displaced by the Commissioner of Pensions and a deputy-commissioner in each state. The main Act provides that remarriage voids widows’ pensions, and this provision is extended to all female dependents. AMERICA’S OPPORTUNITY. SHIPPING TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA. (Received Julv 29, S.-ZO p.m.) . SYDNEY, July 29. Speaking at a reception aboard the steamer Colusa, which is the pioneer of a new line of American vessels, and which brought wheat and butter tor the Government, Air Hall said that, in view of the promise of a good season. the Government- was selling outof business and would now leave wheat in the hands of the Sussex Street linns. With the German vessels out of the running, there was a good opening for vessels like the Colusa. The American Consul-General said the policy of the American Government was to reciprocate. They had told Australia and New Zealand: “Wo are willing to admit your wool, hides and meat duty free, and other products at reduced rates. in return America naturally wishes b<> trade with you.”

GERMAN COLONIAL POLICY A REMARK ABLE ATTACK. LONDON, July 28. Maximilan Harden, the German author, has made a remarkable attackon the German colonial policy, winch Ire says constitutes a bitter warning to Gorman people who read the lessons of the past fifteen years. -Ho ridicules -Germany’s attitude m the 80. t war. assorting that the Boers -would not Have begun the war if they had not been led astray by the Kaisers implied promise of protection believing that if the worst came Genu.mv w mi Id"’'assist them. NEW ZEALAND NURSES. 162 IN EGYPT. ‘Press Association Telegram.) WELLINGTON, July 29. .Wording to advice received, the tliirtv-one nurses who left New Zealand'on May 21 arrived at Alexandria with the stationary hospital on. Ist inst. Advices has just been received that the sixty-nine, who went by the hospital ship Maheno, and for whom arrangements' have been made lot transport from Port Said to England, are to be disembarked for duty in the British. military hospitals in Egypt, in consequence, of urgent demands from there for nurses.- With the fifty nurses originally sent and twelve that went with Australian nurses thoro will thus be 162 New Zealand nurses on duty in Egypt.