AT HOME.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2702, 22 April 1915, Page 3

AT HOME.

GREAT SPEECH J>Y THIS 13R1T1SU

PREMIER

THE POSITION EXPLAINED TO

THE WORKERS

London, April 21

Mr Asquith, Prime Minister, addressed 50U0 liiunitioa makers tit the Palaco Theatre, Newcastle. He received an eiitiiusiastic reception.

The Premier said it was uuirue thai work had been crippled through lack of supplies, but the unprecedented demand for munitions of Avar, coupled with a shortage oi skilled labour,'demanded the mobolisation oi : the factories. TJio trade unions might be sure that their interests would not bo prejudiced by their temporarily waiving the rules. Prompt compensation would be paid to linns suffering by the transfer -of labour to the munition factories. Both masters and men had assured him that they would deliver the goods. He desired to speak through them lo the workmen of the whole northeast coast, lii no area of the British Empire, not even in Inlanders or France, were our national fortunes more intimately bound up than with energies and patriotism of those who wero now called upon to lender their best tservices to the State. There was jioD the least ground for apology or panic. We were now in the ninth month of the most momentous war in the world's' history. The- material forces arrayed vere unexampled in extent, but., vast as they were, they ■Were not disproportionate to the moral issues involved.

.Foreseeing this war's world-shaking possibilities, he continued, the Government did its utmost to prevent its outbreak or narrow its dimensions. "When we were certain that we were confronted by the- insensate ambition and mature and calculated designs of a Power which set the public law of Europe at defiance and menaced the ifrco development of all that was hopeful and progressive in its constituent States, this country realised thajnagnitrirle and. tho gravity of the part which tho people of our islands and ■Empire wore culled upon to play. Thero were no signs in any quarter of tho King's .Dominions of the flagging of the national spirit. The demand for men and material was so vast that it might be said that tho whole nation was partaking iv the war. In the coal trade- 217,000 miners had enlisted—a splendid record. This had caused an influx of 70,0U() from other trades who stepped into the gap, but the diminution of the coal output amounted to 12 per cent, of the-normal output, while the demand due to the war had risen above the normal.. He urged the utmost effort on the part of the remaining miners. Their services would be as fruitful to the country as if they were called for from employer, worker, and taxpayer alike. He believed that all were willing' to -contribute to tho burden oi' .war. Their sacrifices were- the limiIμ Lion of profits, the temporary suslieii'Sion of restrictive rules, and UrJ provision of reasonable compensation iii ca.ses of injiuy or loss.

There was no man worthy of the name of Britisher who was not taking part, niitl there were very few house,-! which had not >pi.>utain.uiisl,y contributed their best manhood to the army and navy. \Ve had obtained the Jiue&t and largest body of men thai- had ever .followed the. colours. This spirit of self-sacrifice enabled us to make ihe casualties good. The same spirit rras required in. other important departments of the war. This was a Avar not only o!' men, but of material. The miner, the shipbuilder, tho engineer, the iron and textile worker, tho railwayman, tho docker, were called on to maintain the supply of munitions without compulsion, though if neees sary compulsion would bo resorted to. Tho Government wished, to avoid compulsion, but thero must "be a mutuality of sacrifice between the master,and men ami the taxpayers.

He was not there to impute remissness. He did not believe that any army or navy had ever entered upon a campaign better mainuuued and equipped. There was not a word oi truth in the statement published as to our work being crippled for lack oi ammunition. If true, it would discourage, our Allies and encourage our enemies. .It was not true that the Government was only lately alive to tho urgency and importance of having miners appointed to Lord .k'ilclicikt'.s committee.

It w;ik noL Li iic ihat there had been a general .sleekness on the. part ol employers and workmen. The ,-.il.uatj<lll was dim lo tho tm[>n.<:<:'kiti.i'<l scale in vvhiuJi auHinuiiLion hail Ihh.mi expended on both sjcles, tho of skilled luljom , , tho multiplicalioii of plant and niachinory, and the succt'ss of recruit nig. As to prolit. all agreed that lJio.se biipplyiny imniitions aliotild nob bo cuLiLlotl U) ;in uiujiio [jfofit. The trades union.-, !.».■ siiro they ivtio Jiot their interests l>y leniporarily waiving or thoir idles, llw wan Led ;.) I'iako it clear that iinns suH'oriuy 'by tho Uauslcr of L'hour oi inability to cai'i'y out ci\ii conlracts should receive adequate and prompt compensation.

The first deficiency to bo made good ivais skilled labour in the munition factories, and the next was to utilise Works devoted to oilier purposes for the manufacture of munitions. He reminded them of their promise that master and man would deli vet , the goods. That was all the Government •asked. Those remaining at home supplying the needs of the country .might show heroism as patriotic as tliobo •who were hazarding their lives in the liring line.

Suttoirs are showing a full .selection ul : Winter Dress Fabrics, and there are some lines that are being offered at the exceptional price of 1/3' per yard. Button's Store i.s a great pliicu to visit just now for extra good values. A. H. Sutton and Co.

To Dominion Medicine (jo

I have much pleasure in .stating that my faiul.v and myself inu'e used vijiir Chest Balsam for Coughs and ('olds with very satisfoetory results. Ojii« doso cases the worst cough. I believe if the merits of ClTest lialsani were more wideJyk nown the demand for it would increase "really.

W. H. Alexander. Chest IJalsam s sold by all Chemists and Storekeepers.

Think of it! —GO doses of NAZOL for Is 6d, and every dose soothes and relieves. No wonder this honest remedy for coughs and colds is in greater demand every month. Prove its efligaoy to-day.