MUNITIONS BILL IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2497, 25 June 1915, Page 7

MUNITIONS BILL IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

SPEECH BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE SPECIAL CALL FOR MACHINE-GUNS - >1 'I __ > (Reo, Juno 21, 11.30 p.m.) LonHon, June-24. Mr. Lloyd George), ui introducing the Munitions Bill, said that the condii.. tion of our ammunition was perfectly known to the enemy. The cardinal fat ji ; was that ultimate victory depended on the supply of ammunition. "We have , 3 ' lis said, "an undoubted superiority in men, both in numbers and quality, aod it in earnest we could surpass tlie Austro-Gorman output." The surplus «of engineering resources available for the war, he added, was greater than :in 1' ranee. Ine Central Powers were producing 250,000 shells daily. 'If we produced in the next itsw months as much as France is likely : to produce, continued the Minister, "the Allies would have an overwhelms ig superiority." Victory can by organising and mobilising the wliole t. of the Empire s engineering and chemical resources. A Cigantio Task. '! Speaking frankly, the armament firms had been inadequate to thegig.'uitio task thrust upon them. Business men had assured him that London w/Oiuld soon be another AVoolwioh Arsenal, enabling it to turn out a prodigious ' n lantity of shells. Real progress was being already niado in each depart] ri ent. Lord Moulton had rendered splendid service, and he was fortunate in sec u ring Sir Porcy Girouard's services. There would be ten ammunition areas i'a the kingdom, each under a Committee of Management of local business men, insisted by an extra engineer. Mr. Lloyd George said ho regretted that there wore indications of holding up of supplies m certain quarters, in view of higher prices. This was. ca using serious delay, and it might ultimately be necessary for tho State to com.p letely control the metal market. It would be months before i the maximum output would be secured. What would happen in the meantime was the question of labour. _ whatever the next German move,, it was vital for the retention of our positions that every machine-gun possible should be produced. "It ifi within the power of skilled labour to supply these guns in the next few weedr.s."More Coal Wanted. He emphasised the necessity of largely increasing the output of co al. The first step must be to secure the necessary skilled labour and fill up t"h 9 workshops where there was plenty of machinery. The workshops should jwit forth their best efforts, and any trade union restriction having a delayib g effect should be suspended. There must bo a stoppage of slackness, 310 stiri kes and look-outs during the wax. Those responsible for output of mimvti.ons had assented to compulsory arbitration, ana had arrived at a substantial agreement, which he embodied in the Bill. He wished he could get the minors and cotton operatives to assent similarly. "We must appeal to. the -workmen at this time of dire peril to put forward their whole strength to help their fellows iu the field, relying on the nation to see that they hara fair play at tho end of the war." Mr. Lloyd George pointed out that coal was the basis of all hi gh explosives. Hence the consequences of a shortage would be calamitous.. He had secured returns of machinery from most of the engines ring firms in the Kingdom, and would shortly bo able to estimate the maximum output of shells. "Though it will take_ months to secure this," he continued, "we can double the present supply in a. few days if we havo an adequate) supply of skilled labour. Workers to Toe the Line. "When I suggested the possibility of compulsion to the lepi'iilers of the trade unions they asked for seven days iu which to enlist the necessary men for tho whole of the machinery the Government have had placed ut their disposal. _ And the- seven days begin to-day. Those enlisting in Uliis voluntary army will not be subject to compulsion. "The Bill also provides the machinery to deal with 'habitually absenting themselves from work. A Munitions Court will with an employer and a trade union representative as assessors. The Court will have power to inflict penalties. "The trade-union leaders very properly insisted upon theiir share of the bargain. Accordingly, the Bill limits the profits of an establiistiment working for the State. Practically, the State assumes control of profite.', and any suspensions of regulations will not benefit employers. "Machine-guns have proved the most formidable weapons, of war,'., and have almost superseded the rifle—almost rendered the rifle unnecessary." "Tlio authorities were getting as 111 any skilled, engineers back from the Army as possible. If tho supply of labour is inadequate, cconpiilsion is' inGermany has prepared for years, and has remained 011 the best of terms with everybody, while she has accumulated war stores in order to take her neighbours unawares, and murder thorn in their sleep. If t'b.at kind of trickcry among nations should succeed, all the basis of internatiouial. goodwill will crumble into dust. It is essential for t'he, peace of the woir'.ld that it shall fail; and it is up to us to see that it does fail. It depends: more upon Britain than upon anyone." ~( Wheu Mr. Lloyd George concluded there were loud and prolonged cheers and somo clapping. ' Replying to questions, Mr. Lloyd' George referred to th# agreement with the trade unions to transfer workers where required. The oaly acute shortage was in skilled workmen in the engineering and shipbuilding trades. "Canada is the only Dominion from which workmen have been invitoi to join the State workshops, but, should the necessity arise, I will not hesitate to tako a similar step with the other Dominions." CRITICISM OP KITCHENER'S REGIME MUNITIONS BILL READ A FIRST TUME; (Reo. Juno 24, 9.55 p.m.) London, Juno 24. Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir A. B. Markham (Liheral) said that Loi'd Kitchener had failed to do what tho nation -expecied. Instead of taking the advice of business men he had called ill a number of "dug-outs" and half-pav officers. The stato of the War Office for tho esght months had- been a scandal. Mr. Lloyd George (Minister for Munitions) characterised Sir A. B. Markham's criticisms as "high explosives," and said that Lord Kitchener had agreed that tho Minister of Munitions must have a free hand in giving orders. Mr. Lloyd George thanked the Labour leaders for their support. Ho did not think it necessary to compel the workmen, though if it# were impossible to get the necessary labour by voluntary means the State must have recourse to compulsion. He did not believe a single worker would refuse if he were told that thoy wanted to save the country. The difficulty was tho employers, some of whom actually demanded compensation for allowiag their workmen to go. The Bill was read a first time. GREAT SCHEME FOR ENROLLING'THE WORKERS RECRUITING OFFICERS FOR THE MUNITIONS ARMY. London, June 23. Mr. Lloyd George has approved a schemo to which fifty trade unions havo assented to enrol workers who aro not at present in Government employ. Although tho enrolment department was only constituted on Friday, special offices are opening to-morrow in over four hundred towns in the Kingdom, to enrol skilled workers. These workers will sign on for six months, during which they may bo sent to any factory where labour is required. In addition to the current trade union wages thoy will receive travelling expenses and a maintenance allowance while away from home. It is stated that one firm manufacturing big shells finds that the men do 30 per cent, more work than during the time of peace. They know they are sharing in the great work of a war for the redemption of the world, LORD KITCHENER WRITES TO BEN TILLETT. London, June 23. Lord Kitchener, in a letter to Mr. Ben Tillett, says: "We are doing all in our power to give the troops the munitions they requiro. High explosive 18-pound shells are now going out better." Lord Hugh Cecil, in tho House of Commons, asked whether Mr. Asquith, in quoting "a high authority" in his Newcastle speech, had roferrod to Lord Kitchener. The question was withdrawn. EXCELLENT IMPRESSION CREATED IN FRANCE. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Sorvices.) London, June 23. An excellent impression has been produced in France by the creation of a Ministry of Munitions in England, and hopes are expressed that it is the beginning of an understanding of the real seriousness of the struggle. The French are nearer tho war, and know what it means. AMERICAN AGENTS FOR OUR MUNITIONS COMPLAINTS FROM CANADIAN SUPPLIERS. (Rec. June 24, 11.30 p.m.) London, June 24. In the House of Lords, Lord Devonport complained that Canadians were obliged to tender through the firm of Morgan's in Now York. Ho said that Sir Frank Crisp had offered two million shells and guaranteed thirty thousand weekly. Ho was told to go to Morgan's Ho declined, and other firms had acted similarly. Lord Curzon, replying on behalf_ of the Ministry of Munitions, said tho agreement with Morgan's enabled Britain to get goods cheaper and quicker. Mor»an's received two per cent, commission, and all expanses. Delivery of Canadian goods made under the arrangement Lord Devonport had suggested had been had proved so unsatisfactory that it had been replaced by a. system wlierebv Britain purchased goods through the Canadian Pacific Railway. Lord Leith explained that Morgan's were employed bccaiiso they could control exchange. | FIRST REPORT OF AUSTRALIAN MUNITIONS COMMITTEE | MANY FIRMS ABLE TO MAKE faHELLS. Melbourne, June 2-1. The first report of tin? .Munitions Committee says that ' many firms are capable of prodwinc shell-bodies. once they are furuished with specifications. Still, more difficulty is anticipated in the rtirumfacturo of shells, nwiji" to the greater iteed for reliability. ft, in sfitiripH"'! that th« work of the committee may expand till it oniiiw a (wgs d«(wriwejtt, with fujiqtlflEe *'llteh ftl prsaent-ara hot fulfilled by utot-jwi&l p&i awJiter* towta*