, 1915-07-17

ries were unequal to the strain nnd our con
tractors failed US, and in buying in foreign
markets we completed with our Allies, O
pitiful scramble for munitions having result
ed grievously. We are making prodigious
efforts to Overtake the arrears and with
considerable success, but our ideals have
not yet been attained. Soldiers have
been taken from the armumen works and
useful agriculturists have been c3axed
away in shoals and enlisted with various
sorts of dependents, and this has been
allowed without a thought for the fearful
present aud future burdens. This Bill viii
give guidance for recruiting for all the
services. 1t is not intended for compulsory
service, other legislation being nece -sary
for that, but voluntary service viii not be
tolerated much longer if it prolongs Tue
terrific proportion of one third of married
among the volunteers. This Bill is the vol
untary systems last chance, and if COM
pnlsion comes this Bill will assist it.. Who
ever objects should be able to state how
much longer the war will last and how many
men will be needed. During recent months
the stream of mon has been flowing better
than the stream of munitions, but pc lhnps
soon these conditions will be reversed aud
then the country will be better off with this
Bill than without it,"
Lord Lansdowne said that t1enty-three
British divisions were in the European thea
ire, while Mr.. Lloyd George estimated III
the House of Commons Oh April 23rd that
thirty-six divisions were III France, and other
previous estimates exceeded 100000 men,
or over double Lord Lansdowne's state
ment, without reckoning the forces at the
Dardanellea.
The War Office has given instructions for
the acceptance Of previous reflections for
cIIn hi 1afA0to IS ormo,ioo1l,, onn11 1905,
eyes and teeth, etc, being overlooked for
certain duties.
Ninety thousand Scottish miners have
applied for ali advance in their wages Of
rs per cent. Eighty coal owners and Que
hundred and ~ffty-six thousand miners who
are involved in the South Wales dispute are
supplying much of the naval coal. The in
dustry which protested against the passage Of
the Munition Bill first feels its application,
largely because of its own councils being
divided, a lukewarm majority following an
irreconcjlable socialistic minority. The mtu-
ers say that the owners advanced the
prices more than the increase in wages asked
which represents ~sixpence per tor. Mr..
Runciman's Bill for regulating the p,ice Of
coal forbids an advance in price over those
of 1914 exceeding four shillings per ton, I'M
der penalty of q fine of GIO0, coal for ex-
port being excepted. MI. Ramsay Macdonald
SCOTS at the suggestion that the workers are
opposing the Government, and declares TINT
they appreciate that it is necessary to support
the Governments fight for existence, even ut
the sacrifice of all that lahour has won in it's
industrial struggles. The working men, he
says, will assist in saving the nation, but
after the var labour will demand that he
causes of war shall be wiped out.
The Government has completed %
nl0O of Stoto TOcTronoo oOuipof IoDoIfo
by aircraft and bombardrneut, in cou-
n%ection with the Fire Insurance Offices. Tho
rates in all districts will be identical for
private dwellings, that is, two shiIlings por
cent. against aircraft and three shil in9s
against aircraft and bombnrdment.
Women are coming from every quarter of
the United Kingdom to participate in q
patriotic procession to take place in the West
Eud on Saturday. to demonstrate women's
determination to take their share in defeat
ing the Germans. There will be no fewer than
thirty bands, one hundred banners and thou
sands of pennNnts. Mis-. Pankhurst will lead
and many notable women will be present.
General Botha, replying to the Kings con-
gratulations, has telegraphed his respectful
assurance and humble thanks, ana the appre-
citation of himself, his officers and men. His