BRITAIN'S PAST.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15452, 3 December 1915, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PAST.

NATIONAL ECONOMY. ENORMOUS SACRIFICES NECESSARY. APPEAL BY MR ASQUITH AND Mil McKENNA. Uy Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.; LONDON, November 1. "Economy by sacrifice in all nonessentials," was tho keynote of a fino speech by Mr Asauith at a conference of Labour delegates. Seven hundred delegates were present, and those on tho platform included Colonel Ward and other members of tho House of Commons. Mr Henderson, chairman of the Labour Party, presided. The Labour representatives, who have a great affection for Mr Asquith. roso and greeted him with, a remarkable demonstration when he entered tho hall. The Prime Minister, in a calm and impressive speech, analysed tho finances of the country in striking phrases. "Wo aro within measurable reach ol spending £5,000,000 a day, 1 ' ho said. "Our naval and, military expenditure, our financing of tlio Empire and of our Allies since the beginning of the war, made our hill now £1,0G2,000,000. Thcso figures are absolutely unexampled in the history of this or any other country."

[ Mr Asquith emphasised the enormous sacrifices required by the war. bub j said ho was suro that tho burden on all classes would be gladly and joyfully borne. Any excess of either profits or wages, which was net returned to the State in loans or taxes, or not employed in necessary industries and public services, was so much loss of national revenue and resources, and therefore so much injury done to the national cause! "I lay down that proposition." ho said, "both in regard to profits and tho earnings of the working classes." Tho income tax, ho said, had been thrice* multiplied, the super-tax largely increased, and an excess of profits tax imposed. Tho Government urged tho trade union le&ders to prevent anything in the nature of a general demand for in advance of wages. The Government had done much to make profits or tho earnings of capital, contribute their sharo towards tho prosecution of the war.

The delegates listened in silence and ■with tense interest -when the, Primo Minister dealt with wrtses. Ho said that according to the best estimates 1,503,000 v.orlqieople had obtained sinco the outset of tho war an average rise of 3s 6d per week in wages. They represented only onc-thir'd of tho workers. A largo number in other trades had also received' advances in wages, though the earnings in tho building, cotton, and other trades had tieen somewhat prejudiced. On the other hand thero had been the following substantial increase in the cost of living:—Food 40 per cent., rent 2 per cent, fuel and light 25 per cent., clothing 20 per cent., miscellanqous 15 per cent., making a general increase in tho cost of living of 30, per cent.

'"There are," said Mr AsqTiith, "indisputably very largo areas where, after all "allowances have been made for the increase in the <;ost of living, tho wageearners are substantially better off than before the war." (Murmurs of dissent.) "The Government asks for your help in securing that all classes, which have contributed so nobly in flesh and blood, will in the same spirit of patriotism and self-sacrifice, be prepared to deal with the question of wages, and contribute their sharo to our task and ono common interest, upon the successful prosecution and complete achievement of which tho economic fortunes and our honour, and the national life of our country depend." (Loud cheers.)

Mr MeKenna, Chancellor of tho Kxnhoq'ier, who also addressed the conference, said it was cortrary to the interests of the. fc'trite that the poorer classes and the workers themselves should dernmd high it wages in particular trades at present. If he had to mortgage tho last shilling of capital ho would insist uron bavin;; the mears of enabling our gallant soldiers to light. No matter what the cost of their munitions, artillery, clothes and food, we would pay it. Largo wages had been earned, and half of the present trouble would not havo arisen .if tho<*- wages had not been lavishly spent. If, during tho war. ive bought imported ivo should throw upon the State the extraordinarily difficult task of paying for them. A \oiee: "What about tho rich people r" Mr MeKenna: "The excess profits of tho rich people are being taxed oO per cent." THE ATTITUDE OF LABOUR. (Received December 2nd. 3.1-j p.m.) LONDON, December 1. At the Labour Conference tho representative of the miners said the miners believed that the Government was in tho right in regard to the war. They were prepared to do all they Could to he!p. Every class had done its best.

end ho urged them to leave netty difficulties alone until after the war. Tho committee resolved to commend the appeals of Mr Asquith and Mr McKeima to tho favourable consideration of trade Unions.