ASPECTS OF THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1917, Page 3

ASPECTS OF THE WAR.

SPEECH BY LLOYD GEORGE

(Reuter’s Telegrams.) -LONDON, Aug. 16.

In the House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George in an important speech on several aspects of the war, declared that the food position had considerably improved. In August Inst there was a stock of 6,500,000 quarters of wheat in the oountry. There were now 8,500,000 quarters. Oats and barley stocks wore also higher. There had been a considerable saving in' the bread consumption, while the acreage under cultivation had increased by 1,000,000 acres. If the harvest was as good as it promised to be then tne condition of the country's food supplies, taking everything into account, would be very’ satisfactory. Still he urged the need for economy, because jthe more Britain economised the less she would need from Canada and . the United States, from which countries France and Italy also drew their supplies. The reserves of sugar had been increased.

The Germans claimed that we were losing half a million tons of shipping monthly after allowing for now struction. In April we lost 560,000 gross, hut the gross losses in July had been reduced to 820,000 tons. August looked like being bettor, and if the present improvement continued the net loss for July and August would be at the rate of 175,000 tons per month. These figures showed that the Admiralty was meeting with considerable success. The Shipping Controller had so organised shipping that although we had diminished tonnage we were carrying more tons. Shipbuilding was quickening, and many ships had been ordered abroad. '• .a. tbtal of 688,000 tons had been built in Britain in 1915, 538,000 in 1916. and 480,000 tons in the first six months of, 1917. For the last six months of 1917, 1,430,000 tons would be acquired, of which 1,000,000 would he built in Britain, making the total for the year of 1,900,000, besides large naval construction. He believed that the shipping losses will decrease while contain constructions will inorease. We still needed more shipping, hut if the United States would extend to Its

full capacity, as doubtless it was preparing t° do, we would hav© sufficient tonnage not only for the whole of 1918, but if necessary for 1919. Dealing with tho military situation, Mr Lloyd George declared that we would not exchange our position for tho enemy’s. Our difficulties would diminish and our powers increase; the enemy* b difficulties would increase and their powers diminish. The Speaker proceeded to read » telegram from the Front regarding the latest offensive, which, he said, was not intended to be a big operation. Tho telegram stated that severe fighting'continued and the result had not yst been determined. The Canadian infantry had won a conspicuous success and had captured Lnngemarok, taking prisoner 10DO men and capturing 'five guns. . Concluding, he said: — “This is the supreme hour for patience, courage, endurance, hope and unity. Let a go through this hour with the good temper of our raoo that will enable us to destray the great military despotism, no that next year we and the world will begin to reap the fruits of our valour.”

IN THE COMMONS,

CONFERENCE DISCUSSED

Received,, this day at 8.45 a.m.) 1.... LONDON, Aug. 17. In the Commons, when discussing the adjournment, Mr Ramsay MacDonald drew attention to M. Kerensky’s views on the Stockholm Conference, notably the “Daily News’’ interview. Ho said Government had been misrepresenting his views. 'When men of international interests conferred it would bo found , that little remained worth fighting about, and peace would soon come. > Mr Bonar Law denied that tho Commons Iliad boon misinformed. Hon.

Lloyd George had been so struck by M. Kerensky’s • spontaneous telegram that ho asked Mr Hendofson to disclose it, pointing out the Conference was partly concerned with a decision not binding the Russian Government. Hon Bonar Law added that Government’s attitude on tho passports, was unchanged. Mr Snowdon contended that •M. Kerensky unopposed the Conference. Government’s attitude was inconsistent with M. Kerensky’s view that no obstacles should be put in the way. He moved an amendment that owing I to the critical outlook, there be a reduced period of recess. This was negatived. Mr Bonar Law announced that m the event of a' crisis,'for example,'-an armistice occurring, during tho recess Parliament would immediately reassemble.

It is considered in the lobbies that Hon Lloyd George’s speech will tend to consolidate tho political situation, and is tho best answer to tho Pope’s Note, and will strike a blow at the Pacifiists’ propaganda making headway in Britain during the past fortnight. 1 Tho Labour Party .Executive-submits a resolution to tho Conference when it reassembles on Tuesday, reiterating the desirability that the Party participate in the Stbjt-kholm Conference, regretting the refusal of passports and recommending representations to Government thereanent.