PEACE AND ITS PROBLEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17010, 18 November 1918, Page 5

PEACE AND ITS PROBLEMS

INDUSTRIAL ADJUSTMENT DUTY TO FALLEN FOES. A. and N.Z. LONDON, Not. IE The Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George addressing employers and trade unionists eulogised not only soldiers, but hom workers, for securing the most oomplet triumph of liberty in the world's history The Government's pledge for the restc ration of trade union privileges, suspends in war time, was embodied in the Muni tions Act, but that suspension was subse quently extended to other establishment not included in the Act. " Herein lies the greatest difficulty,' the Prime Minister continued. " 4.1 though the armistice does not mean th end of the war, its terms are such tha it is inconceivable that any enemy Go\ eminent will assume the responsibility c the resumption of hostilities. Nevertheles it would be folly for the Allies to trea it as an impossibility. We do not kno< the sort of Government existing in Gei many to-day. Germany has a more di.' ciplined better educated population an more highly organised community, tha Russia, but there is a possibility of repetition of the hopeless chaos and cor fusion such as exists in Russia- We car not expect in the next few months th establishment of a completely organise State, capable of carrying out engagi ments, and we must not assume th; everything is secure until peace is signet or until we have all the pledges an guarantees which the armistice stipulate* "After the peace treaty is signed en plnyers and workers will be able to g< industry working smoothly with a min I mum of dislocation The transition inui ' begin immediately. The Government Bui has been prepared with a view I carrying out tho pledge given, but desires to receive advice from a con mittce of practical men, employers an workers. " We are under no obligation to fee Austria and Germany, but we ought in to let the enemy starve after he has su rendered. Let us behave like a grei people who have won a great victory. W must not behave like small nun veng< fully trampling down fallen foes. Ster justice must he done. ( but beyond (hi let us behave m such a way that t! enemy will feel we arc lighting for hip ideals, not meie greed >■. i.\ci:ge. II 'fact that Austria and (Win. Ny arc. cor ing to the world';: mvkit for food wi affect the cost of living.: thereore t! Government is d.lilu .•' * of opinion th: wages must be im .'■* ■ nod at the presei standard pendivg • '•' induction of the co of living." Mr. Lloyd George appealed to emplo ers and workers to co-operate with tl Government, as during the vvar, standii together until the country was put in position never before known. Vicloi was the starting point, rather than tl end of sustained efforts of all classes put Britain in an unprecedented pinnacl and she must not descend to the swam] again.