BRITAIN IN TRANSITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17295, 20 October 1919, Page 7

BRITAIN IN TRANSITION.

FROM WAR TO PEACE.

TRAVELLING A STEEP ROAD.

DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9 p.m.) A. and N.Z.—Renter. LONDON, Oct. 17. Mr. Lloyd Geprge, in his speech at Sheffield, emphasised the equal necessity of exercising economy and increasing production. The test question on which the Government must stand or fall, he said, was whether, viewing matters broadly, the Government could do more to save temporary expenditure which marked the transition from war to peace, without imperilling greater and more permanent interests. The permanent expenditure must remain far higher than before the war, owing to the increased interest on amortization and increased pay. which had advanced for all forms of State service. The bread subsidy must soon disappear.

Alluding to the criticsm of the Government, Mr. Lloyd George quoted the roadway notice, " Please slacken reins when ascending the hill." He wished the people would treat Ministers as they treated horses. When the Government was going up the hill there were men pulling, prodding, and tightening the reins. " Let them slacken the reins," said Mr. Lloyd George. "The burden is heavy, the road is steep, and we need all the muscle, brain, and inspiration available from our fellow men and from above to enable us to keep up and carry the weight "