LLOYD GEORGE'S SPEECH,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12288, 10 April 1918, Page 6

LLOYD GEORGE'S SPEECH,

APPEAL TO THE NATION. Fierce Outbreak Expected. Future Depends on Time. Time for Extreme Sacrifice.

A- and N.Z. Cab>« Association and BcuUt. (Received April 10, 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 9. The Honso of Commons showed intense interest in tho Premier’s speech. The Honso Avas croAvded, but there was an entire absence of excitement. Mr Lloyd George said that wo had now entered on tho most critical stage of the war. Tito present lull meant that a hurricane was gathering strength for a fiercer outbreak, and before it •was finally exhausted there would be mamr more. Tho fate of the Empire, of Europe, and of liberty throughout tho world might depend on the success with which even the very last of these attacks was countered. The Government therefore proposed to submit recommendations to assist the country and the Allies to weather the storm. The recommendations Avould involve extreme sacrifices by largo classes of tho population, .and nothing would justify them but tho extremist necessity and the fact that they were fighting for all that was essential and most sacred in rational life.

Explaining why Parliament had not been summoned earlier since the battle began, he said that the Government had been engaged almost hourly, in concert with their Allies, providing the necessary measures to assist the armies to deal with an emergency. Dealing with’ the military position, ho pointed erjt (that it was difficult to get a clear and reliable narrative of a battle extending over a fifty miles front. The staff and generals were naturally engaged concentrating their attention on the operations of the enemy. Until that strain was relaxed it was difficult to ascertain exactly what liappencd.