Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 4, 3 August 1916, Page 2

Great Britain

IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. Press Association—Copyright. Renter's Telegrams (Received 12.55 p.m.) London, August 2. I In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil said the crew of the .Brussels was mostly interned at Iluhloben, together with fifteen hundred merchant seamen who were at Ruhleben. Mr Asquiih stared that tlie Government lT'-'q coubdltiug with the Laborites witii a \ iow to a post-war socuh and industrial policy which is intended to secure a fairer distribution of the results of the industry of ail classes.

Mr Asquith, in opening the discussion on resolutions passed at the Economic Conference, said they had to convince the enemy that the Allies were resolved to wage war with the same unity and determination economically as military. The war had opened their eyes to full meaning of the German system of economic penetration, and it was necessary to prepare to combat attacks on the (Allied markets, for which Germany was already organising her industries. It was the duty of the Allies to take every step to secure, for their own use and to prevent German control of the products of Allied countries, the essential condition of peace, viz., that Belgium, Serbia, Poland, and North France be restored economically. The Board of Trade is engaged on a scheme to make us independent ol enemy supplies of dyes, spelter, and other commodities. It is a scheme o research, which is being inaugurated by a strong committee under Lord Balfour for the consideration of the commercial and industrial policy generally, which will subsequently be discussed at the Imperial Conference, including India. He emphasised that the resolutions did not aim at Neutrals and added that he was not abandoning bis free-trade principles, hut was merely asking the House to envisage the new la(,! - s -