TO WIN THE WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 212, 17 October 1916, Page 2

TO WIN THE WAR.

The Right Hon. Lloyd George, speaking in the House of Commons, said conscription had been justiaed. It had already produced a very considerable number of men. It was re-.-early to estimate the full results of the Military Service Acts, but he was able to say they had produced a force without which it would have been impossible to carry on the war. Further numbers would be available by restricting exemptions, which he admitted were much too numerous. The actual numbers of exemptions wouic startle the House. [Where exemptions in other democratic countries amounted to thousands, our exemptions are at the rate of millions. This was me richest country in the world before? the war, and would be the same after the war. He believed the Government possessed power to deal with exemptions; if it did not, he would ask the House to take steps to render tatcountry's entire resources available. All wealth and man power should be utilised to the utmost to win the war. Regarding the present position, we had sufficient men, but we must look ahead to the possibility of a prolonged campaign. It would be folly to do otherwise. If the war ended at an earlier date than was anticipated, cur preparations for a prolonged campaign would not interfere with trade and commerce, but if the war lasted longer than some people anticipated, anc we had not made preparations, the insult would be exceedingly disastrous for us. We must lay the foundations for a war extending over a long period. That was how to ensure victcry. Some members talked of broken homes and health. There were sue'.: things as broken treaties and faith. The future must be based on the foundations of public faith. Unless that was established throughout Europe and the world now at all costs, depend upen it, instead cf broken homes for a few years we would suffer for generations and centuries to come.