MAKING OF MUNITIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13209, 26 June 1915, Page 6

MAKING OF MUNITIONS

ENLiSTiNG THE WORKERS. COMPULSORY POWERS. LIMITATION OF PROFITS. CONTRACTS WITH MORGAN. LONDON, June 21. Speaking in the House or Commons, Mr Lloyd George pointed out that coal was the basis of all high explosives, hence the consequences of a shortage would be calamitous. He had secured returns of machinery from most of the engineering firms in the Kingdom, and would shortly he able to estimate the maximum output of shells. Though it would take months to secure this, the nation could double its present supply in a lew days if an a defoliate supply of skilled labour available. "When 1 suggested the possibility of compulsion to the leaders of trade unions," proceeded Mr Lloyd George, "thoy asked tor seven day-; to enlist the necessary, men. The whole machinery of government lias been place:] at their disposal, and tlio seven days begins to-day. Those "nlisting in this ; oluncary arm)" will he sultjeej to compulsion. The Bill also provides machinery to deal with those habitually absenting themselves from work.." Continuing, Mr Lloyd George aid that a .Munition.-, Court would be 'stablished with employers and trade :nion representatives as assessors. The 'ourt would have power to inflict.penalYs. The trades union leaders had proerly insisted on their share of the barsin; accordingly the Bill limited the •ofits of establishments working for e State. Practically, the State as:ned control of profits. Any suspen>n of regulations would not benefit iployers. "Machine gi.ns," added Mr >yd George, "have proved the most midable we.-pons of the war. They re almost superseded the rifle, and <ost rendered the rifle unnecessary." • Minister concluded his speech amid 1 and prolonged cheers, and some iping. 'aptain V. Guest, Liberal mend)' l !' for t Dorset, who is on leave from the it, said the Bill would bo bailed in trenches with high relief, but he ■ved the national service of cvery- .• was essential. The recruiting em was unfair, undiscriminating expensive. / ie speech made a marked impreson the House. r Asquith immediately rose and estod that the present was not the to discuss the serious topic CapGuest bad raised, ril Devonport complained in the 0 of Lords that Canadian firms obliged to tender through Mor- , in New York. He said that Sir < Crisp, the well-known financier, diored two million shells, and had nteed 30,000 weekly. He was told to Morgan's. He declined. Other bad been similarly treated. 1 Ctirzon. replying on behalf of the tor for Munitions, said the agreewifb Morgan's enabled Britain to >ods cheaper and quicker. .Morgan ed 2 per cent, commission and all ses of delivery. The Canadian were made under arrangement. • 1 Devonport suggested that the n had been tried and had proved satisfactory that it should be re--1 by a system whereby Britain purchase goods through the lian-Pacitic Railway Company. d Leith explained that Morgan's employed because they could control exchange.