PROFITEERING BILL PASSED.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 195, 20 August 1919, Page 8

PROFITEERING BILL PASSED.

DEBATE"-ON MR LLOYD

GEORGE'S SPEECH

LONDON, Aug. 19. The House of Lords passed the Profiteering "Bill.

In the House- of Caramons Mr Adamson, following Mr Lloyd Georgßj said that although it'was nine months since the armistice there was no sign of returning to normal conditions. If it were true that the Government since, the war had sold 161 ships to foreign countries it was a foolish transaction, which woiild cripple efforts to restore the financial position. - The -Labor party agreed that there vas necessity for increased production. TMs e<m|d ■ not be achieved without 'scrapping s;''" much of the existing machinery in industries, and .also nob without the employment of machines hitherto not used.. The country would not. tolerate, the Government's spending at the present rate. He urged Mr Lloyd George drastically to cut down the estimates of the Navy, Army, and Civil Services, and ,-he pressed the 'Government to make tho' Profiteering Bill retrospective, thereby recovering £1,000,----000,000 from the. profiteers. • Lord Robert, •Cecil, regretted that Mr Lloyd George had.postponed his industrial statement till the last day ■ of_ the session, permitting only a iwinimtim debate. Hfe deprecated,-the withdrawal of the British troops from the Caucasus,, thus -allowing continuance- of the massacres of the- 'Armenians, who should have ' immediate help. '

.The newspapers reflect a certain amount of disappointment at the Prim© Ministers-speech, mainly as a result of unauthorised anticipation, but there is general approval, except ■on coiifcrovers.ial' topics, like the nationalisation of mines. Some people ore disappointed that the settlement of Freetrade. was not announced,'declaring that the manufacturers and traders are anxious to ha.vf it settled ;to enable them to'Vo ahead; but it is ■generally.- recognised ilmt ?fr Lloyd George refrained from raisin.* vexed fiscal controversies at the "present juncture. . !■

Fre>fcradfrs are gratified at the removal of restrictions, and the tariff reformers are gratified at the retention, of the safeguards which are the key to th.> industries and f!ie prevention of dumping. , Though there was little reason for expecting, a declaration, of the rrish pohcy, regret. is expressed at the absen°e'of any statement thereon. fhe principal measure of disappointment arises. from the absence of positive measures to reduce the n-i----ticmal -expenditure.