LABOUR’S PART.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17950, 18 November 1918, Page 5

LABOUR’S PART.

ADDRESS BY MR LLOYD GEORGEAN APPEAL FOR UNITY. J.ON DON, November 1-1. Mr Lloyd George, addressing a mooting of employers and trade unionists, eulogised not only the soldiers, but the homo workers, for securing tho most complete triumph of liberty in tho world’s history. 'flic Government’s pledge for tho restoration of trade union privileges, which had been suspended during war time, was embodied in the Munitions Act, but the suspension had been subsequently extended to other establishments not included .in the Act. Herein lay tho greatest difficulty.

Although tho armistieo did not mean tho end of tho war, the terms wore such that it was inconceivable that any enemy Government' would assume tlio responsibility for a. resumption of hostilities. Nevertheless it would bo folly for the Allies to treat it as an impossibility. “Wo do not know wha. sort of Government is existing in Germany to-day,” ho said. “ Germany has a, more disciplined and hotter educated population and a more highly organised community than Russia, but there is a possibility of the repetition of the hopeless chaos and confusion such as was experienced in Russia. We cannot expect to see in the next few months a completely organised State, capable of carrying out its engagements. Wo must not assume that everything has been secured until peace is signed, or until wo have all the pledges and guarantees which the armistieo stipulates. “After the peace treaty is signed, employers and workers will bo able to get their industries working smoothly, with tho minimum of dislocation. The transition must begin immediatelyTho Government's Bill has been prepared, with a view of carrying out the pledge given, hub it desired to receive ndvico from a committee of practical men, employers and workers. “ Wo are under no obligation to fowl Austria and Germany, but we ought rot to let the enemy starve after he h- ; surrendered. Let us not behave 1...0 small men, vengofully trampling down fallen foes. A stern armistice must bo upheld, but beyond that Ictus behave in such a way that the enemy will feci that we are fighting for high ideals, and not for mere greed, or revenge. The fact that Austria and Germany are coming to tho world s market for food will affect the cost of living. Therefore tho Government is deliberately of opinion that wages mustbo maintained at the present standard pending tho reduction of tho cost of living.” Air Lloyd George appealed to employers and workers to co-operate with tho Government as during the war, standing together until tho country is put in a position which it had never before known. Victory was the starling point rather than the end cf the sustained efforts of all classes, which would put Britain on an unprecedented pinnacle. She must not descend to the swamps again.