MR LLOYD GEORGE'S SPEECH

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14186, 10 October 1919, Page 4

MR LLOYD GEORGE'S SPEECH

Mr Lloyd George, referring to tha recent strike at the Mansion House luncheon to General Sir E. Allenby, voiced sentiments which will assuredly be heartily endorsed by every thoughtful man and woman. He pointed out that Britain is essentially a democratic country, and for that reason the views of the extremists of any one section in the community cannot' hope to find acceptance if they demand advantages which cannot, with justice, be conceded. The people themselves are masters, and they are determined to remain so, but they recognise that the scales must be held evenly as between section and section, and that they cannot permit themselves to (foe cajoled or hoodwinked. They must rule firmly, but justly, and not permit the prerogative of government to pass from their grasp. The Cabinet for the time being are accredited representatives of the people as a whole, and it is to them that the people look to maintain the dignity of the law and to administer justice. There can be no place for anarchy in a democratic country: if an individual or a group of individuals' have a grievance, there are channels through which it can be ventilated; but when force is resorted to, then the Government must stand firm. There is a wide difference between a trial of Strength'between two sections'of the community—between employers '» and employees—and a challenge by one section to the accredited heads of the nation. The first is merely a dispute between individuals; the other is an attack on authority, and should that attack prove successful then constitutional authority would be weakened, and that means disaster. As Mr Lloyd George stated: "Wo have made it clear that the nation means to be master in i'ts own house —a firm master and a strong master. We nuist make it clear that it means to be a flist master, but always master." A recognition of this fact has been forccil upon a considerable section of the community during the past few weeks, and much hardship and suffering have been saved thereby. Mr (■'.. H. Roberts, the British Pood Controller, in accusing the railwaymen's leaders of attempting to impose their will upon the community, stated that the agreement which was accepted on Sunday last could have been obtained before the strike was called. That fact alone shows that the Government was anxious to accord justice without force, and that the. leaders were demanding more than was legitimate. The whole-hearted manner in which volunteers rallied to the assistance of the State during the trouble must be taken as evidence that they, too, were satisfied that there was no desire to withhold jus'tice from the men concerned. Britain may not yet have reached perfection in the art of government, but revolution will not help progress at the stage to which sin' lias attained. The hopes of all must, he centred on evolution; the process may be slow, but it is sure.