HON. LLOYD GEORGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1919, Page 2

HON. LLOYD GEORGE.

REPLY TO CRITICISMS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) f AUSTRALIAN <B N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION

& REUTER.]

LONDON, Ju,ly 21. Hon. Lloyd George continuing in the Commons said more over, compensation had to be paid in respect to all pensions and allowances, which would be a very considerable annual charge on the taxes of this country. If we received from Germany payment of these sums, we would receive a very considerable relief. He asked:-—Was there the remotest change of exacting all costs of the war. The total cost of tlie war for the whole of the Allies was thirty thousand million sterling. The question was examined by_ tlie most able Allied experts, who endeavoured to exact the utmost farthing possible from Germany. It was beyond doubt they had done it. Mr Lloyd George continued that there was criticism that compensation was indeterminate, but it was impossible to determine the figure because none could estimate the damage to devastated regions extending over four hundred miles by thirty miles. If a. definite amount were fixed they should simply have transferred uncertainty from Germany to France. They had given Germany an opportunity of sending experts through devastated regions to make their own estimate, if such were submitted within four months. If fair, France would accept it.

Germany, he pointed out has lost by the Treaty three-quarters of her iron ore, and one- third of her coal, seven million of her population, and the whole of her colonies. Nobody, he said, thought Germany could pay the whole cost of the war, namely eignteen hundred millions yearly, and even if the whole of these territories had been under her control all the Allied experts concluded that reparation attached to the Treaty was the limit of Germany’s capacity to pay. He said they had taken tile right course towards ending conscription. They could not end armaments, he declared until they had struck at the roots.

Prussian militarism, he declared, was the cause of conscription in Britain) France, Italy, Russia and America. Therefore, he said, Prussianism had been unrooted. “It is impracticable for us immediately to abolish conscription” he added. “A good peace ha., been secured only because Germany recognised the existence of armies on her own soil would be able to impose their own terms. The Treaty of Versailles would have been impossible without the armies in the Rhineland. He was of opinion that by next year a voluntary army would suffice for all Britain’s requirements. As regards the trial of the ex-Kaiser he said persons responsible for awful slaughter should not escape trial. The Allies had sufficient confidence in Britain that whoever came there would have a trial equal to the highest traditions of the British Goernment, and there were none higher all the world over. If war was to be ended it must be treated as a great crime and not as an honourable game. That was why, after reflection, the person whom they regarded as author of the war should be tried for his crimes.

Air Lloyd George in his speech replied to the speech of Air Devlin. He referred to Air Devlin’s appeal for applying President Wilson’s and General Smuts’ principles of self-determina-tion themselves without depriving others of self-determination. Air Lloyd George asserted he had endeavoured to apply President AVilson’s principles to Ireland by his action in constituting the late Irish Convention which failed. It did not bring the parties together. The difficulty' was Ireland was not one nation, but three - nations in race religion, temperament and outlook. Until it bridged its own gulf it was useless to talk of self determination. He despaired, of any settlement until Irishmen resolved to face this difficulty. It was useless to quote, President AVilson’s principles unless his and the Government’s critics were prepared to apply them to the whole of Ireland. He looked to the League of Nations ultimately' to repair and redress imperfections in the Treaty' of Peace. The League would exist as a court of appeal to readjust crudities. Nevertheless lie claimed the Peace Conference redressed many old wrongs, while he could not think of any new ones created. Aloreoer they had established guarantees and securities as far as human foresight permitted against a repetition of past horrors. They demonstrated to the world that national riglrts and national liberties would not be trampled under. The Treaty' would he a lighthouse in the deep, a warning to nations and rulers of nations against perils whereupon the German Empire had shattered itself. The Bill passed the committee stage. It was read a third time by 136 to 4.