The Glenwood post., 1915-04-03
Lloyd -eesrge htilnates TIT
Drastic Methods M d
Used Against lquef
IS WORST FOE OF ALLIES


Germany, Austria and drink, and so
far as I can see, the greatest Of these
three deadly foes is drink. - said David
Lloy George, chancellor of the ex-
chequer, replying today to a deputation
of the Ship Building Employers Fed
Grafton, the members of which were
unanimous in urging that, in order to
meet the national requirements at the
present time there should be total
prohibition during the period of the war
of the sale of intoxicating liquors. This
should apply not only to public houses,
but also to private clubs so as to oper-
ate equally with all classes Of the eeo-
munity.
1t 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 ship yards was
actually less than before the war, and
the average productiveness had been
reduced There were many men doing
splendid and strenuous work, probably
as good as the men in the trenches, but
many did not approximate full time
thus disastrously reducing the average.
Notwithstanding the eurtsilment OF
the hours they are allowed to keep
open, the receipts of the public houses
in the neighborhood of the ship yards
had greatly increased, in some cascs
40 per cent. As an instance of one OF
many similar cases. that of a battle
ship coming in for immediate repairs
was cited. She was delayed a whole
day through the absence of rivettera
who were drinking and carOusing.
In one yard the rivetters have been
working on the average only forty
hours week, and in another yard only
thirty-six hours.
In conclusion the deputation, which
included representatives of the leading
ship builders of the country, drew at
tention to the example set by France
and Russia and urged upon the chan
cellor the need of drastic action.
The chancellor of the exchequer, in
the course of his reply said the reason
why the government had rot hereto
liquor question was because it needed
to be assured that it was not going adj
verse to public sentiment; otherwise
more harm would be done than good.
f,,1 hat haH
every class in the community behind it
when taking action which interfered
severely with individual liberties. But
now, he was sure the country was be-
ginning to realize the gravity of the
situation.
81 have growing conviction, based
on accumulating evidenee,'' continued
the chancellor, ''that nothing but root
and branch methods would be of the
| slightest avail in dealing with the evil.
I believe it is the general feeling that
if we are to~settle German militarism,
we must first of all settle with the
drink
Mr.. Lloyd George intimated that Lori
Kitchener, the secretary of war, AMI
Field Marshal French in command of
the British expeditionary forces on the
continent, were Of the same opinion,
and he promised to lay the statements
Of the depntation before the cabinet
He said in conclusion:
'sI had the privilege Of an audience
Am permitted by him to cay tat h b
very deeply eoneerned On this 9sesessn
very deeply concerned-a1d tie cen
eern which il fe,t by him ! IN certain
is shared BY all his suoiects IN tAis
eountFy."