After the War.

Taihape Daily Times, 3 August 1918, Page 5

After the War.

——o THE EMPIRE’S PROBLEMS. IMPORTANT SPEECHES. LONDON, August I. The Pres.; Bureau states: Replying to a deputation of 200 manufacturers introduced by Sir Edawrd Carson, at the House of Commons who urged an early declaration of the Govermneufa economic policy, the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Mr. Bonar Law, emphasised that such a declaration was being delayed . by war preoccupations, also the necessity of keeping in touch and being in complete accord with the Dominions and allies. Mr. Lloyd George said the Government had been discussing the problem with the Dominions during the last few week's, and had a discussion with the allies before America ehtefed the war. Hitherto America had not expressed an opinion on the Paris resolutions. It was vitally important that the policy of the United States and the policy of Britain should completely agree. All he could say at present was that he was very nopeful, because an inter-Allied agreement on these great problems meant that the economic fate of the world would be in tbe bands of the Allies. The Premier emphasised the necessity of securing essential industries against unfair attack and unfair competition. These industries were essential, not merely from the commercial viewpoint but from the viewpoint of national defence. He did not doubt that they would reac ban agreement in this regard. No Government could possibly avoid giving the earliest and deepest consideration to the matter. The longer the war lasted the sterner must be tbe economic terms imposed on tire foe. The sooner the foe realised that the better.

Mr. Lloyd George, continuing, said: We must be in a position to determine what will be fair conditions without having them imposed by the will of the enemy. He agreed that immediately after peace there would be industrial dislocation. One of the great difficulties would be where and how to get raw material. Transport difficulties would also prevail during the first year’s peace. Those questions demanded most careful consideration, combined with a complete under- | standing with the allies and Dominions. Mr. Lloyd George proceeded to | say that none ever dreamt of continu- 1 ing the present system of Government | control after the war. He agreed that this country’s strength before the war lay very largely in the ingenuity, selr. reliance, adaptability and resource o' individual effort. At the same time there was the lesson of the war, wherein the State had done good work in assisting and encouraging industries, coupled with combined effort amongst industrialists. Magnificently as business and industrial communities had shown capacity to organise for war, he quite agreed that when the war was over, the present absolutely necessary interference in business by the State must disappear. During the transition period they were not going to get raw material with considerable Government interference. They must also organise transport. They had to see that the Dominions received a fair share of British manufactures. The Allies were also entitled to receive assistance from Britain in the re-equipment of essential conditions of their industrial national life. Perhaps a business order might come from an enemy source more remunerative than an order from Britain, the Dominions or the allies. He thought they ought to see that the people who were fighting together should be served first. “Don’t,’ ’he said, “let us make the mistake of dissolving the partnership the moment the fighting ends. The world will not come right immediately after the war. If you dissolve partnership with all these great peoples—a partnership cemented with blood—there would he men quit ready to take advantage thereof, even when the war is over. Therefore it is vital when the war is over and the transition period ha» come, when there will not be enough to go round, we must keep the partnership going and help each other to the end. So brotherhood shall remain.” The Premier deprecated the revival of past controversies. Let us, he said, consider the problem anew. It is the only way we can secure absolute national unity. I shall be very surprised if you are npt quite satisfied with the Government’s statements when made, hut first, we must get into closer contact .with our allies. See there is no declaration that will In the least interfere with Allied concord, goodwill and co-operation. B‘e assured it will be the chief concern of the Government to see that the great Industries whereon the strength of the country depends shall be developed and strengthened.