EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3526, 11 October 1921, Page 18

EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS. LONDON, October 4. Mr Lloyd George, when receiving the freedom of the city of Inverness, said that the Washington Conference would constitute one of those outstanding events which would affyet human history for centuries. “We will do all in our power to make it a success.” Referring to the Irish Conference he said it would only succeed if those entering it made up their minds definitely and resolutely to trust to the commonsense of their own people. Dealing with unemployment the Prime Minister discounted the newspaper statements about the existence of a comprehensive Government scheme. He said there could not be such a scheme until Cabinet had decided and Parliament- sanctioned it. This was not an ordinary trade depression. The depression was something abnormal due to the shattering effects upon the world’s trade, credit, and competition. The nations had spent gigantic sums and had been compelled to mortgage their resources, resulting in impoverishment. The situation was extremely difficult to deal with. No one in the country should he allowed to starve while there was a crumb in the National cupboard. While we could control our own finances, trade and foreign policy we could not- control those of other nations. He was hopeful that things were improving, but the nation must save. There must be cooperation between all classes, otherwise things would proceed from crisis to disaster.