A NOTABLE SPEECH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 566, 2 December 1915, Page 10

A NOTABLE SPEECH.

MR ASQUITH SPEAKS TO LABOUR.

ECONOMY BY SACRIFICE IN NON ESSENTIALS.

BRITAIN'S COLOSSAL FINANCIAL UNDERTAKINGS.

By Cable.—Press Association—-Copyright. (Received December 2, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, December 1. "Economy by sacrifice in all non-essentials" was the keynote of a fine speech given by Mr Asquith at a conference of Labour delegates. Seven hundred delegates were present. Those on the platform included Colonel Ward and other khaki-clad members of the House. Mr Henderson, M.P., presided. The Labourites, who have a great affection for Mr Asquith, rose up and greeted him with a remarkable demonstration when he entered the hall. The Premier, in a calm but impressive speech, analysed the nation's finances in striking phrases. " We are within measurable reach of spending £5,00Q,000 a day. Qui: naval and military expenditure, and the financing of the Empire and our Allies since, is now £1,662,000,000. These figures are absolutely unexampled in the history of this or any other country.l! - , Mr Asquith emphasised the enormous sacrifices made in the war, but lie was sure that the burden on all classes would be • gladly and joyfully borne. Any excess, either in profits or wages, which was not returned to the State in loans or taxes, or not •• employed in necessary. industries and public services, was so much . loss of national revenue and resources, and therefore so much injury to the national cause. .} \ "I lay down that proposition both in regard to profits and " the earnings of the working classes. The income tax lias .beeir- * thrice multiplied, the supertax largely increased, and an excess profits tax .imposed. The Government urges the trade union leaders to prevent anything in the nature of a general demand for" the advance of wages. The . Government has done much to make profits, or earnings on capital, contribute their share 1 owards the prosecution of the war." ' ***. (Received December 2, 1.35 p.m.) Tlievdelogat.es.. listened in silence and with tense interest when the Premier dealt with the wages question. Mr Asqiiith said' that, according to the best estimates, 4,500,000 workpeople had obtained, since the.,outset of the war, an average rise of 3/6 per week in wages. They represented only one-third of the workers. A large number of other trades had . also advanced wages, though'the earnings in the building, cotton, : ' and other trades were somewhat prejudiced. On the other hand < there had been the following substantial increases in the cost of living: Pood 40 per cent., rent 2 per cejit., fuel and light 25 per cent., clothing 20 per cent., miscellaneous 15 per cent. The general increase in the cost of living had been 30 per cent. ' . (Received December 2, 1.45 p.m.) There were indisputably very large areas where, after allowances had been'made for the increase in the cost of living, the wage-earners were substantially better off than before the war! (Murmurs of dissent.) "The Government asks your help in securing that all classes, which have contributed so nobly in .flesh and blood, will, iu the same spirit of patriotism-and self-sacrifice, be as prepared to deal with the question ofi%agos, and'epntiibute their share.

Our task is one of common interest, upon the successful prosecution and complete achievement of which the economic fortunes and the honour of our national life and country depend." (Loud cheers.) * MR FORD'S FATUITY. APPEALS TO AMERICAN IMAGINATION.

A SHIPLOAD OF PACIFISTS.

(Received December 2, 1 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 2. Mr Ford has induced hundreds of leading pacifists in the United States, including State Governors, to go to Europe on his •peace crusade. Official support is lacking, but the idea has taken a great hold on American imagination. Mr Ford says that he will go into the trenches and call on all fighting men to go home. The Press ridicules the whole thing as insanity, but leading educationists, university heads, manufacturers, and women advocals are all joining. The jfarty sails on Saturday on a specially engaged steamer.

NEW ZEALAND CASUALTIES. TO-DAY'S LIST. The following casualty list and hospital report was issued by the Post Office this afternoon:— DANGEROUSLY ILL. CANTERBURY MOUNTED RIFLES. Corporal C. R. Robinson (at Malta). OTAGO BATTALION. Private L. S. Friedlich (at Alexandria).

DIVISIONAL TRAIN. Trooper W. L. Wilkinson (at Alexandria). VERY SERIOUSLY ILL. OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES. Sergeant J. B. Dalton (at Walton-on-Thames, England). REMOVED FROM DANGEROUSLY ILL LIST. CANTERBURY MOUNTED RIFLES. Trooper J. P. Harris. Trooper E. H. Parnham.

, OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES. Trooper W. H. Wood. DIVISIONAL TRAIN. Driver J. L. Honiball. PRONOUNCED OUT OF DANGER, N.Z. FIELD ARTILLERY. Gunner C. H. Bleach. N.Z. FIELD ENGINEERS. Corporal E*G. Leonard. AUCKLAND BATTALION. K. N. Campbell. Private E. C. Hall. The following have been discharged convalescent:— Auckland Battalion—Private P. S. Bridson. Otago Bathii m—Privates 1). T. Fraser, A. Hickey. N.Z. Mcdicay Corps—Private F. W. Foster. Rifle Brigade—Private F. H. Rix. In the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, England:— Canterbury Battalion —Private A. G. Foster.