PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF ECONOMY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2634, 3 December 1915, Page 5

PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF ECONOMY

MR. ASQUITH SPEAKS TO THE

WOBKERS

WHAT THE WAR IS COSTING TO-DAY

AND THE TASK FOR TO-MORROW

Br Telegraph—Press Association—OoDyrltr)

(Rec. December' 2, 5.5 p.m.)

( London, December 1. 'First, economy by the sacrifice of aU non-essentials," was the keynote of a fine speech delivered by the Prime Minister, Mr. Asnuith, at; a conference of Labour delegates. There were seven hundred delegates present. Those on the platfonp included Colonel Ward and other khaki-clad membel's of the House of Commons. Mr. A. Henderson, Labour M.P., and President of the Board of Education, presided. The Labour delegates, who have a great affection for Mr. Asquitli, rose up and greeted him with a remarkable demonstration when he (altered the hall. Five Millions a Dayl The Prime Minister, in a calm, impressive speech,, analysed Britain's nuances in striking phrases. "Wo are," he said, "within measurable reach of spending £5.000,000 a day. Our naval , and military expenditure and financial aid to parts of the Empire and our Allies since the war began now totals £1,662,000,000. These figures are absolutely unexampled iu the history of this or any other country." He emphasised tlhe enormous sacrifices of the war, but was sure tho burden on all classes would be gladly and joyfully borne. Any excess either of profits or wages which was not returned to the Stato Mn loans, taxes, or was not employed in necessary industries and public services was so much ' loss to the uational causo. "I lay down thai' proposition both in regard to profits and the earnings of the working classes," he added "The income tax has been thrice multiplied,- the super tax has been largely increased, and an exoess of profits tax imposed." Tbo Government urged trade union leaders to prevent 1 anything in tho. nature of a general demand for an advance in wages. The Government had done much to make, the profits or earnings of capital contribute a .'hare to tlie prosecution of the war.

The delegates listened in silence and with tense interest when the Premier dealt "with the subject of wages. According to the best estimates, said Mr. Asquith, four and a/ half millions of workpeople had obtained, since the outset of the war, an average rise of Bs. 6d. per week in wages. They represented only one-third of the workers A large number in other trades had also had advances in wages, though the earnings of the cotton, building, and other trades had been somewhat prejudiced On the otter hand, there had been the following ' substantial increases in the cost of living :~Food, 40 per cent-.; rent, 2 per cent.; fuel and light, 25 per cent.; clothing, 20 per cent.; miscellaneous, 15 per cent. The general increase in the cost of living was 30 per cent. There were, indisputably, very large areas where, after allowances had been niade for the increase in the cost of living, the wage-earners were substantially better off than before the war. (Murmurs of dissent.) "We Ask Your Help." Mr. Asquitli continued: "The Government asks your help in securing that all classes, and' not the least of these the working classes, which have contributed so nobly_ in flesh and blood, will, in the same spirit of patriotism and self-sacri-fice, be prepared to deal with the question of wages, and contribute their share. Our task is one of. common interest, upon wliose successful prosecution and complete achievement the economic fortunes and the' honour and national life of the country depend. (Loud cheers.) : The Improvident Wage-Earner. Mr. M'Kerina (Chancellor of tlie Exchequer) also addressed the conference. It was contrary to the interests of tlio State, he said, for the poorer classes and the workers themselves to demand higher wages for particular trades at present. _ If we had to mortgage , our last shilling of capital, he would, insist on having the means for enabling our gallant soldiers to fight. No matter what tha cost of their munitions, artillery, cloihes, and food,, we had to pay it. Large wages had been earned, but half the present trouble would not have arisen if these wages had not been lavishly spent. "If, during the war, we buy imported goods, we throw upon the State the extraordinarily. difficult task of paying." <, A voice: What about the rich? Mr. M'.Kenna: The excess profits ot the rich are taxed 50 per cent. AWAY WITH PETTY TROUBLES! CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS. (Reci December 2, 8.15 p.m.) London, December 2. During the subsequent proceedings of the conference tlio miners' representative said that the minerß believed that thee Government was in the right in the war, ;and they (tho miners), wore prepared to do all they could to help. Ever)' class had dono its best. He urged them to leave their potty difficulties until after the war. The conference resolved to commend Mr. Asquitli's and Mr. M'Kenna's appeals to the favourable consideration of the trade unions. •