"SLACKEN THE REINS"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 20 October 1919, Page 5

"SLACKEN THE REINS"

PRIME MINISTER ON GOVERNMENT'S STIFF PULLAPPEAL FOR PRACTICAL SYMPATHY Bv Telegrapll—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. Octobor IS, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 17. Mr. Lloyd George, in a spccch !tt Shef. field, emphasised tho equal necessity of exercising economy and increasing production. Tlio test question oil which the Government would stand or fall was wliether. viewing matters broadly, the Government could do more to savo tilio temporary expenditure which marked the transition from war to pence without imperilling greater and more permanent interests. He said that the permanent expenditure must remain far higher than before (he war owing to the increased sntnrcst of amortisation and tho increased pay. for nil forms of Slate service. The bread subsidy must soon disappear. Ninety-eight, per cent, of the conscripted soldiers hud been returned to their homes, and by the time the Conscription Act expired there would nob bo a single conscript who had not been returned homeward. Alluding to the criticism of the Government, Air. Lloyd George quoted the roifdway notice: "Please slacken reins when ascending the hill," and said he wished they would treat Ministers as they treated horses. -When the Government was going up hill there wera men pulling, prodding, and tightening. Let them slacken the reins. The 'burden was heavy, and the road was steep. They needed all the muscle, brain, and inspiration available from their 1 fellowmen, and from Abovsv-to enable them to keep up and carry the weight— Aus.N.Z. Cable Asn.-Rcuter.