LLOYD GEORGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1921, Page 1

LLOYD GEORGE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, Wet. l‘j. I Ina Lloyd Ccorge replying to charges that Government had done nothing, sail in 1010 considerable sums were voted to restore trade with Central Europe and twenty six millions were voted for the export credit- scheme, while ill lil’JO a Rill was carried which added eight million workers to the- insurance fund. I’nder that scheme -18 millions were distributed to unemployed families Government decided to ask for further sums under the scheme to

settle ex-servicemen overseas. There wi re und .iibtcdly signs of a revival in some important industries, tint others showed no signs of improvement. There could h« no considerable improvement for some time. The best hope was not for n short lived feverish boom for a slow, steady improvement. Rritain was more dependent oil overseas trade than any other country. The world needed our goods, hut could the needs he converted into a demairtl and the demand into payment of our export credit. It had become a question of the exporting trader taking a risk and G-iYcr»ment sharing it. It was therefore proposed to raise the guarantee to traders from eighty-five to one hundred per cent' a.nd fix the maximum for each firm. There was much to he done at-j Home and nlirntid in loosening the | wheels of industry. The lirsl objective i was tin- restoration and improvement of the means of production and transport. T'ndoutitedly the cost of producing w'as too high. There was also, a difficulty in ■raising capital for some on. terprisea and still greater difficulty in raising it at a price that would not burden the oiitcrprfhe. No Government, rould find a remedy for the high cost of production. That was a matter for the employers and employed, lint Government! would guarantee interest on new enpitifl required for railways and electrical works calculated to promote employment. The total State (guarantee would not. exceed twentyfive millions. A eommittea of financial and industrial experts woulTl he up-, pointed to administer the scheme. | Th'-ie wr.iild also he measures to re- j liove the district. The relic/ works begun w("idd tie proceeded with it further . ten millions being allocated for idle , purpose, rnompinynienf wifi bo assist-,

ed for six months, with n weekly sum , of live shillings for wife, and a shilling for aach child, up to a maximum of nine shillings. This would he provided by a compulsory levy of two-pence each from employers and employees with Hiree-peiieo from file state. In the case of women.'girls and hoys, the levy would he one penny and the State two-pen,e. A Government Infill would he guaranteed to the Hoard of Guardians to deal with necessitous rases. However, the expenditure must he rut. down. Nothing could get. rid of (ho fact that we were eight thousand millions in debt, and that we cannot build up our strength on patent medicines. Trade would never he reslored until 111- cost of production was reduced, lie appealed to Labour lenders to face the problem. Everything depends upon a complete understanding between workers and employers, and the goodwill and co-operation of the nation.