SPEECH BY LLOYD GEORGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 November 1920, Page 2

SPEECH BY LLOYD GEORGE.

'f AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION} j ' LONDON, November 9. ! The Premier, Mr Lloyd George made S-^ , a speech at the Lord Mayor’s banquet. - ' He said there were still perils on the path of peace. What they needed was patience, perseverance, and faith • to surmount those perils. 'All the prejudices and dislikes existing must be j controlled. There were misunderstandj ings as between Western and Eastern Euorpe. These must be removed. “Disarmament,” be declared, “ is the real test of Germany’s sincerity.” 'Hie lat- * est news as to this was most satisfacl tory. There are too many rifles at large in Germany, but they are greater men- | ace to Germany internally than to her i neighbours.” Germany was prepared to _ • submit proposals for the liquidation of : her reparation obligations. He personI ally was pleased with these proposals. 1 They would be examined. It was satisfactory to note that Germany realised j that her first duty was to repair the de- ; I vasta/tions. He stated it was all a f question of methods and capacity. There were questions that could best be discussed, firstly, among experts. The financial experts of the Allies and Germany were shortly to meet at two conferences. He was looking forward with great confidence to tangible results therefrom. The Allies were seeking dhe best financial advice. The Germans -were doing the same. If in all I the Allied countries all the people were listed to counsel those whose purpose was to restore devastated regions and not to ■ repair devastated reputations, he had no doubt peace would be found along the path of good understanding. / In his speech Mr Lloyd George said that as regards Russia, he could not speak hopefully. Her worst danger was Bolshevism. “We are dealing t with men who do- not realise the importance of respecting obligations.” Mr Lloyd George said that in regard j to British industry the situation showed a better temper. The hopeful symi ptom was an anxiety of Labour leaders for an honourable settlement. But ■ the rank and file of the workers were, lie declared, largely suspicious, even of : their own leaders. The best remedy would be to show that the country was not willing to allow any section to in- [ timidate it, but meant to treat all fairly. The extremists of both sides were the direct actionists and those desiring to smash trade unions. Both were a pestilence.