MR LLOYD GEORGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12724, 20 August 1919, Page 5

MR LLOYD GEORGE.

OUTLINES GOVERNMENT'S POLICY, RELATIONS OF CAPITAL AND LABOUR. STATE SUPPORTED INDUSTRIES. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright A and N.Z. Cable Association and Reutor. (Received August 20, 10.55 a. in.} LONDON. August 16. Mr Lloyd George in his speech in the House of Commons continued as follows 11 Labour says; ‘ We realise the need for increased production and we do not believe in direct action, but we are human and cannot work with a will unless conditions are made fairer.' Wo must examine that attitude honestly and squarely, not in a. spirit of resentment, bub in the spirit of justice and comradeship created by war.” He appealed to employers and workers to press their claims in that spirit. Wo must demonstrate to the world, be said, Britain’s traditional power of solving difficulties without resort to anarchy, and merely by an appeal to commonsense and fairplay. Ho admitted that in pre-war days hundreds of thousands of able-bodied men worked hard for wages which wore a disgrace to the Flag they fought for, but Labour's gains in the past two or three years had been enormous. On an average wages had more than doubled, and hours had diminished by four weekly. The war had taught the soldiers that positions were easier to capture than to retain. That was a lesson for Labour, which had captured more advanced positions during the war than ever before. HOURS AND WAGES. Mr Lloyd George announced that the joint Industrial Council had come to an agreement regarding hours and wages wiiich would he embodied in a Bill to bo introduced to-morrow. Substantiallythe Bill means a forty-eight hours' week with few exceptions, and a Living wage for all industries- He urged that steps be taken to humanise industry by seeking the co-operation of workers. STATE AND THE COAL MINES.

The Premier denied that he had committed the Government to accept every recommendation in the Sankoy report. However, the Government accepted the policy of State purchase of mineral rights in coal, and proposed that a fund be raised out of royalties to improve housing and the general amenities for tlie miners. Tlie reason advanced for the adoption of the Sankey recommendation in favour of the nationalisation of mines, namely, that it would produce harmony between employers and workers, had been falsified by the recent Yorkshire Strike, which was against the State. Moreover, the State ran the railways, yet the results had not beeu harmonious. However, the Government accepted the principle that there was need for unification and reorganisation of the mines in order to reduce tho working and management charges. This could bo done by dividing the country into areas, of which Labour should bo amalgamated for a limited .period. The workers should he represented on a body controlling the poiicy of each area. Tho Government was preparing schemes on these linesPROTECTION FOR. UNSTABLE INDUSTRIES. Government would take effective measures against dumping. The Board of Trade was given power to shield unstable industries by prohibiting imports except under license, and the products of these industries, thus preventing excessive imports of such products. W'hero import prices were lower than hero the import duty would be charged for licenses. Care would he taken that no undue profit was made at the expense of the community. Tlie tests as to whether an industry was unstable would he whether it was essential for tho war, whether the war had revealed an inadequate supply of such goods, whether the Government had to foster it in war time, whether, IP Government

support were withdrawn, the industry could maintain itself at a level of production which the war had shown to he essential to the national life. The Government would also submit a scheme for the utilisation of the water power of the Country for industrial purposes. IMPERIAL TRADE. Tli© Premier emphasised the importance of fostering Imperial trade, nob. with a view to increasing our trade but from the important standpoint of the Empire and civilisation. He had several communications from the statesmen of the dominions upon the importance of fostering Imperial trade by improving communications between the dominions. India and the Mother Country, and chiefly in quickening transport. RATIFICATION OF PEACE. He hoped Peace would be ratified at the beginning of September. Till then it would be recklessness to reduce the army to a peace footing. The delay in reaching peace with Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey was owing to the fact that they were waiting to know whether America was prepared to take her share in guaranteeing protection to peoples who, if unprotected, would he subject to terrorism, plunder and murder. TERMINATION OF TRADE RESTRICTIONS. The policy of trade restrictions would definitely terminate on September 1. They had been retained as a shield for industries during demobilisation and the transition from war to peace. The only result of maintaining them after September 1 would be tp artificially increase prices, which already were too nigh. MAINTENANCE OF TROOPS ABROAD. The Government had received appeals from all quarters, including the Conference Internationale at Lucerne, not to withdraw troops from the Caucasus. Ihe inhabitants aiso had appealed to the same effect, a fact which he was proud of. There were also other places from which they could not withdraw all their troops at present, but he promised that the Armv Estimates would bo examined on the basis that the great menace to Europe was ended, hence "'l‘oro - '■■o”ld bp effected. they must remember, however, .. it 50i.,,. , j..v mu, biehled and the cost of material had doubled. The greatest economy could be effected if the great nations which nromoted the League of Nations trusted it. If they increased their armaments the League was a sham. Those who believed in’ it most must trust it most. Britain was ready to trust it. Let the others do likewise ATTACKS ON THE GOVERNMENT. Referring to attacks on the Government, ho asked was it wise, fair or generous, when all the systems of the Government were being challenged to give democracy the impression that the Government was guilty of nothing but mistakes, scandals and inefficiency, putting nothing to the credit side. The Premier concluded by declaring that: “ With a, clear eye, a steady hand and a willing-heart, the snip of State would reach calmer water.”