PREMIER'S APPEAL

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1919, Page 5

PREMIER'S APPEAL

FOR GREATER PRODUCTION. TO SAVE THE NATIO». GREATEST ECONOMY NEEDED. By Telegraph—Press Amu- -Copyright. London, Aug. 16. Mr. Lloyd George emphasised the exchange difficulties. A sovereign to-day was wirth'lesß'than 178 8d in America, which Was due to the fact that we were not paying for imjiorta with exports. The oily alternative to increased production: was for the people to quit the country.' ~ The Premier mentioned that among the reason* for decreased production were the difficulties of the transition from j war, tie jack of labor, also the fact that everybody's nerves were jaded and torn after strain of the war. Everybody Was complaining of everybody else, ' ■ and some complained of Providence. But these tendencies were world-wide and wchili pass. The world was suffering ..from 'shell-shock on a big s,eale. i One of the arguments in favor of reducing hours had been that it would not .involve a reduction of output. The fact , was that there had been a reduction of v output; almost in mathematical propor- .' ■ tkm teethe- diminution of hours. The deliberate slowing down was not confined ', to the there were'evidences of it 'among employers and manager*. He stigmatised as a dangerous fallacy the theory that the less you worked the more there was for everybody. Deliberately to reduce output meant all-round ' unemployment on a gigantic scale. The absolute necessity of everybody pulling together must be brought home to the whole country in order to enable people - to-afcake off the fatal lethargy and-, slackness which were depressing production and imperilling the most vital interest* of the nation. Mr,, Lloyd George addedr "Labor Bays, We realise the need for increased prodnction and we do not believe in direct a?thMi, but We are human and cannot . „W{(fk with a will unless conditions arc •.made fairer.' We must examine that i attitude-honestly and squarely, not In a i (tpjrrt of resentment, but in the spirit of jWficn end' comradeship created by the i-"«»r.7 :■■■ ■

He appealed to employers and woTkerrto press, their claims in that spirit, '"we 'must demonstrate to the world ftitainV traditional power of solving difficulties -without recourse to anarchy, and merely by an appeal to conimoneejtse and fair play." He admitted that in pre-war days bun-

dreds of thousands of able-bodied men woTked bard for wages which were- a dhkrrace to the flae they fought for. But labor's jains in tho past two or three years had been enormous. On an aver* »ge wages ..had .'jftire than doubled and hours had diminished by four weekly.

The war had taught soldiers that posi-

2m» were easier to capture than to rein.. TJiat was the lesson for Labor, ftjio. had captured more advanced positions during the war than ever before. He announced that the Joint Industrial Council had come to an agreement rejprfdlnglujun! jtnil wages.,which would be embodied in a Bill to be introduced tfrWerrow. Substantially the Bill meant ft 48-hmmi week with few exceptions, aad a living wage for all industries. Ho

Afitd that steps "be taken to humanise Industry by seeking the co-operation of th* workers regarding the conditions of

trork; . ''■'''! The Premier denied that he had comJnltted the Govera&lMit to aceept every {ecommendation in the Sarikey report, lovever, the Government had accepted the policy of State purchase of mineral fights-in coal, and.proposed that funds ihould be raised oat of royalties to'imMOVe the housing and general amenities jfiit miners. . :f Mr Lloyd George said that the Teason Advanced for the adoption of Sir John pattkey's recommendation in favor of the nationalisation of mines, namely, jhat it would produce harmony between the employers and the workers, had been falsified by the recent Yorkshire strike, Which was against the State. Moreover, State ran the railways, yet the reftilta had not been harnfonious. .'■ the Government had acceptjjjj: the principle that there wa? need for and reorganisation of the tein'es in order to reduce the working #nd management charges. This could be done by dividing the country into areas jn which labor should be amalgamated for a: limited period. The workers 'ahonld be represented on the body controlling the policy of each area. The Government was preparing schemes on these lines.

The Government would take effective measures against dumping. The Board pi Trade had been given power to shield unstable industries and of prohibiting imports, except under license, of the -produets of their industries, thus preventing 'excessive imports of such products. Where the import prices were lower than here -an import duty would be charged the licensees. Care would be taken-that ho undue profit was made at the expense of the community.

The teats as to whether an industry was Unstable would be whether it was #al, whether the war had revealed artinadequate supply of such goods; whether the Government bad to foster it in war time, if the Government support was withdrawn, the industry could itself at the level of production Which the war had shown to be essential to national Ufa, ' •Hie Government would-also submit a (tehemfrfer the utilisation of the water•{ttwerof the emmtry for industrial purposes.

• » The Prettier emphaslse'd' the importl*oe;flf fostering Imperial trade, not ■With the view of increasing our trade, '•-but ironi the' important standpoint of the Empire and civilisation. 'He had ■event] communications from the states- ; jJMn of the 'Dominion* upon the importtnce of postering Imperial trade by improving communications between the Dominions, India, and the Motherland, ajid chiefly in quickened transport. "He hoped peace.would ho -ratified at the bemnning of September. Till then it would be recklpsness to reduce the army to a peace footing. The Premier mentioned that the delay in reaching peace with Austria, Bulgaria, and Turjpev was owing to the fact that they Were waititl? to know whether' America Was prepare* to' take a share in the guaranteeing of protection to peoples Who. if.ftnprbtectpd, WPIUd be subject tii terrorisation, plunder, and murder. Mr.'Lloy|l fieorge announced that the jiblicy of trade restrictions would definitelr terminate on Saniember 1. They |ißd been retained a* "shield for industries during detnebftiaaftpn aiid the tr'anMtipn from ( war to pea/:e. The only matrtfftiteng' them after Sep■fwfej wouidfe aftffleiallvto increase price* i«*iA wim too UA, '"

The Government had received appeals from all quarters, including the International Conference at Lucerne, not to withdraw troops from the Caucasus. The inhabitants also had appealed to the same effect, a fact of which he was proud. There were aIBO other places from which they could not withdraw all the troops at present, but he promised that the army estimates would be examined on the basis that the great menace to Europe had ended and hence considerable reductions could be effected. They nmst remember, however, that the soldiers' pay had been trebled and the I cost of material doubled.

The greatest economy could be effected if the great nations which had promoted the League of, Nations trusted it. If they increased armaments the League*, would be a sham. Those who believed in it most must trust it moat. Britain was ready to trust it; let others do likewise. 'Referring to the attacks on the Government he asked was it wise, fair, or generous, when all systems of government were being challenged, to give democracy the impression that the Government was guilty of nothing but mistakes, scandals, and inefficiency, putting nothing to the credit side. The Premier oncluded by declaring that "With a clear eye, steady hand, and willing heart the ship of State Will reach calmer water."

GOVERNMENT ECONOMY URGED. LABOR'S VIEWPOINT. Received Aug. 20, 1 p.m. London, Aug. 19. In the House of Commons Mr. Adamson, following Mr Lloyd George, said that although it was nine months since the armistice was signed there Was no sign of returning to normal conditions, tf it was true that the Government since the war had sold 100 ships to foreign countries it was a foolish transaction, which would cripple the efforts to restore the financial position. The Labor Party agreed that there was necessity, for increased production. This could not be achieved without scrapping much of the existing machinery in industries and also without the, employment of machines hitherto not used. The country would not tolerate the Government spending at the present rate. He urged Mr. Lloyd George to drastically out down the estimates for the navy, army, and civil services, and pressed the Government to make the Profiteering Bill retrospective, thereby recovering one thousand millions from the profiteers. Lord Robert Ceci) regretted that Mr. Lloyd George had postponed his industrial statement till the last day of the session, permitting a minimum debate. He deprecated the withdrawal of troops from the Caucasus, allowing a continuance of the massacres of the Armenians, who should iiave immediate help. Nowspapers reflect a certain amount of disappointment at the. Premier's speech, mainly as a result of the unauthorised anticipation, but there is general approval, except on controversial topics like the nationalisation of mines. Some are disappointed that a settled trade policy was not announced, declaring that manufacturers and traders are anxious to have it settled to enable them to go ahead, but it is generally recognised that the Premier, refrained from raising the vexed fiscal controversies at the present juncture.

Frt'fl traders are-gratified at the removal of restrictions. Tariff reformers arc gratified at the retention of safeguards, which are the keys to industries and the prevention of dumping. Though having little reason for expecting a declaration of Irish policy, regret is expressed at the absence of a statement thereon. The .principal measure of disappointment arises from the absence of positive measures to rpfluce national expenditure. THE NATIONALISATION QUESTION. LABOR'S OBJECTION'. Received Aug 20, 1.10 p.m. London, Aug. 10. There was a scene in the House of Commons during the debate. Mr. Hartshorn asserted that Mr. Bbnar. Law had promised to accept nationalisation of mines if the commission's report favored Buck a step. Mr. Hartshorn added that he would do nothing to render the Premier's scheme- successful. The Government policy would considerably reduce the output instead of increasing it. Mr. Bonar Law denied the nationalisation pledge. Such a thing was never suggested.

Mr. Hartshorn, interviewed later, said that every miners' leader who previously was disposed to assist the Government tvoulfl now do Ms utmost to overthrow It. Other miners' officials were equally angry.

Mr. Adamson said the party would make the nationalisation of mines and railways the test questions at the general election.

Members of the Hpit3e of Commons generally accept the solution. Opponents of State control anticipate practical difficulties, but regard it aa the best compromise. OBJECTION TO MINES NATIONALISATION. 1 Received Aug. 20, 1.10 p.m. London, Aug. 18. A memorial signed by representative merchants, bankers, and traders in the City of London has been forwarded to the Premier, protesting against the' nationalisation of mines and other industries until the people had expressed an opinion upon the subject.—Reuter. ..■