Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-30
EngIand's Greatest
 Foe is Drink
"A MORE DEADLY ENEMY THAN
 GERMANY AND AUSTRIA
DRASTIC ACTION URGED
David Lloyd George Declares That lNo9hing But Root and Branch the Evil

London, March 29, 9.35 D. m.-"We are fighting Germany, Austria and drink, and so far as I can see the greatest of these three deadly foes is drink" said David Lloyd George, chancellor of the exchequer, reporting today to a deputation of the shipbuild- ing employers federation, the members of which were unanimous in urging that, in order to meet the national re- quirementS at the present time, there should be a total prohibition during the period of the war of the sale of intoxi- eating liquors. This should apply not only to public houses, but also to pri- Vate clubs, so as to operate equally with all classes of the community.
 Retards Work in shipyards.
 It was stated that despite the fact that work was being carried on night and day seven days in the week, the total working time on the average in nearly all the British shipyards was actually less than before the war, and the average productiveness had de- creased. There were many men doing splendid and strenuous work, probably as good as the men in the trenches, but many did not even approximate full time, thus disastrously reducing the average.
 Workmen Drink and Carouse. Notwithstanding the curtailment ot the hours during which they are al- | IO"Cu lO hSSp OpSll. lIl0 IOC0lplS Ol Iu6 public houses in the neighborhood ot the shipyards had greatly increased | in some cases 40 per cent. As an in- stance of one of many similar cases | that of a battleship coming in for i'm | mediate repairs was cited. She was | delayed a whole day through the ab- | sence of rivetters, who were drinking and carouSing.
 l In one yard the rivetters have beer working on the average only 40 hours
 a week and in another yard only 3t
 hours.
 Drastic Action Urged. In conclusion, the deputation, whict 1 in. luded representative of the leading sh;pbuilders of the country, drew at | tention to the example set by France and Russia and urged upon the chan. | cellor the need of drastic and immedi- ate action.
 1 Realizing Gravity of Situation. 1 The chancellor of the exchequer, il | the course of his reply, said the reason l why the government had not hereto
 fore taken more drastic action on thu liquor question was because it needed | to be assured tha: it was not going
 adverse to public sentiment; otherWis, more harm would be done than good The government must feel that it ha( | every class in the community behind it when taking action which interferet severely with individual liberties. Blu | now ne was sure that the country wal beginning to realize the gravity of tn, | situation.
 Must First Subdue Drink.
 'I have a growing conviction, based
 on accommodating evidence" continued the chancellor, that nothing but roo
 and branch methods would be of tn, l slightest avail in dealing with the evil
 I believe it is the general feeling tha if we are to settle German militarisn
 we must first of all settle with tn, l drink"
 MT. Lloyd George intimated tha
 Lord Kitchener, the secretary for war
 and Field Marshal French in command of the British expeditionary forces ol the continent, were of the same opinion I and he promised to lay the statement! of the deputation before the cabinet i He said in conclusions:
 King George Deeply Concerned. 'I had the privilege of an audienc with his majesty this morning and am permitted by him to say that he i Il very deeply concerned on this question livery deeply concerned-and the con cern which is felt by him I am cer tain is shared by all his subjects il this coTntry.'