The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1919. LLOYD GEORGE'S SPEECH.

Southland Times, Issue 18623, 22 August 1919, Page 4

The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1919. LLOYD GEORGE'S SPEECH.

It is natural perhaps that there should be some disappointment in regard to Mr Lloyd George’s speech in the House of Commons on the industrial situation. It was hoped that the Prime Minister would be prepared with a remedy for the critical position to which British industry has been reduced. Everyone admits that the outlook is the reverse of hopeful All are agreed that if matters remains as they are British manufactures will be ousted from the markets by the products of countries where the cost of production is lower, and that Britain’s prosperity and her power must enter upon a state of decline. What everyone is looking for is the announcement of measures that will prevent this evil fortune falling upon Britain, and those who expected a lead from the Prime Minister cannot avoid a feeling of disappointment at his inability to outline a policy that wll save the industries of Britain without depriving the workers of the better wages and better conditions that they have obtained during the war. Mr Lloyd George practically admitted that there was no outside remedy for the state of affaire under which trade and industry are laguiahing. The disease is obvious, but there is no treatment for it except with the co-operation of the whole o’ the people. In the words of the Prime Minister: “the world is suffering from shell-shock on a big scale,” and there is widespread lack of energy and lack of ambition. Legislation will not restore the country to the frame of mind which made Britain supreme in industry, and the disturbance of normal conditions has been too great for its effects to pass away quickly. All the Prime Minister could do was to pin his faith to the traditional qualities that have marked Britain’s triumph over the difficulties of the past, and to hope that the present diffipulties would be solved without resort to the drastic methods that are everywhere being preached among the working classes. The only legislation Mr Lloyd George has to propose is a Bill making a 48 hour week general and fixing a minimum living wage for all industries. Protection will also be afforded to British industries that are being undersold by imported articles. Where it is found that the imported goods can be placed on the market at a price lower than the Britishmade article, the prices will be equalised by the imposition of an import duty in the shape of a license. *By this means it is hoped that threatened industries in Britain will be enabled to continue in profitable operation until such time as the causes of the present situation have been removed. Since the high price of coal is the chief disadvantage under which manufacturers are labouring, the Government proposes to utilise water power on a large scale for industrial purposes, and it is also hoped that the business relations between the Home Country and the dominions will be fostered so as to afford a considerable measure of support to British manufacturers. In regard to the huge expenditure that is adding to the burdens of the country Mr Lloyd George pointed out that military expenditure must continue on a heavy scale until peace has been effected with all the enemy countries, and in this connection the higher rate of pay of soldiers and the great increase in the cost of all materials are factors having an important effect on the amount required to maintain the army even on a reduced basis. Mr Lloyd George was not too sanguine as to the effect upon armaments of the formation of the League of Nations. He said that if the members of the League trusted the League it would be possible to greatly reduce preparations for war all over the world, but unless this faith existed it was improbable that the League would be followed by the reduction in military expenditure that everyone hoped to see. The Prime Minister declared that Britain was prepared to show Jts trust in the League, but it was necessary for others to do likewise. An examination of the whole speech leads to the conclusion that there is no easy remedy for the critical state that exists in Britain. The commercial life of the country is undoubtedly menaced and nothing will save it except a determination on the part of the workers to work even harder than they did before the war, and a realisation on the part of the employers that the workers are entitled to an improved status, to a share in the control of industry, and to a more equitable division of the rewards as between Labour and Capital. In bringing about this necessary understanding the influence of Government action will be considerable, but it will not be sufficient in itself. A change has to be effected in the mind and purpose of the people, and there is no reason to believe that the qualities of head and of heart that have brought Britain safely through the trials of the past will desert her in the present crisis.