New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-24

tions had been carefully considered
and he asked the House TO take them
as a whole.
The Premier declared that he had
not the slightest doubt that II the
whole programme were carried out
and il all those who could help IN
production did help, 81 honestly say
we can face the worst the enemy can
do, and that is what we ought 70 be
prepared TO do"
Harvests Poor. Food Low
In dealing with the question of pro
duction. the Premier said:
"Then there Is the question Of our
home supplies of food. ] want the
country to know that at present our
food stocks are low. This is not due
20 submarines, but 10 the bad har-
vest. IL is essential to the safety OF
the nation that we put forth every
effort to increase production this
year. There are still a few weeks to
sow spring wheat, oats and barley;
to induce the farmer to plough up
pasture land Immediately.
Farmers can increase even now by
hundreds OF thousands Of tons for
this year the food supplies OF the
country. If all the plans are carried
3 OUT Il very GONslutidDAt dNoHN'NS
tonnage will be saved, but future ton
mage is urgently needed. The French
Ambassador has been here begging for
more ships. and the Italian Ambassa-
dor has lust left after making the
same request. We need an immedl-
ate and substantial saving OF tonnage.
Let us come down ruthlessly on I'M
ports which are not essential. IL is
idle 70 suggest that we who are COM
Portable at home should no bet pre-
pared to surrender the things unnec-
essary."
Dealing with shipbuilding, Lloyd
George said that he had made a spe-
cial appeal TO labor, and that he was
convinced the output could be very
considerably increased by an aitefa-
tion in methods. -,
wherever payments by results
have been introduced" said the Pre-
mier, there has been an increase IN
the output Of shipbrilding yards
sometimes by 20, sometimes by ~,
and sometimes even by Az per cent
We have made a special appeal to the
great trade unions to assent to the
introduction Of these methods. IN
some yards they have already been in
troduced.
This also involves the undertaking
by employers that if larger wages are
earned by the men as a result OF spe-
cial efforts no advantage must be
taken of that to reduce rates. Inc
penalizing OF good work by reducing
the rate of payment has been one OF
the great follies of the past that has
caused the workingman to fear piece
rates.
at is essential that we should get
as much work as possible out OF the
shipyards, not merely for shlpbulld-
ing for the mercantile marine, but for
the building of craft for coping with
submarines.
"Our shipbuilding capacity is the
greatest in the world and is fairly
adequate for the gigantic task whlch
is thrown upon it. The Italian. french
and Russian contribution is a very
substantial one. but in the MAN the
burden is on the shoulders OF 1,ea'
Britain, and If workmen and employ
ers of all classes in the community
strive their utmost, ] think Great
Britain can bear that burden success
fully right TO the end"
To Cut Timber Imports
Timber to the amount of 100000 tons
had been imported, Lloyd George salo,
and If this tonnage was to be saved
this timber problem must be dealt WIZ
Investigation was being made as 10
the best methods of economizlng TIM
Der behind the lines and IN England.
Another method was to make the army
in France self-supporting.
The French government, SAID tne
Premier. already had placed two for
ests at the disposal of Great Britain,
and he was afraid the government must
ask the French TO make further saerl-
fees. A third method was to get sur
ficient labor to increase the supply OF
home timber for pit props and other
purposes.
The next heaviest item of import is
/ iron ore. Regarding this item the Pre-
mier said:
1--WE are importing millions Of tons,
/ but the importation cannot be dimln-
/ ished unless more iron ore is found IN
our country. There is plenty OF low
/ grade ore, however, in this country, ana
! if the supply of labor can be augment
ed We can increase enormously our out
put. The saving of tonnage would be
( large. but unfortunately it would come
late in the year."
Paper Imports Cut in Half
After referring TO the government
3 committees who examined these ques-
tions the Premier turned TO the ques-
/ ton of paper and said:
81 had no idea that such quantities
( Of paper were utilized for newspapers
and wrappings. They both consume an
enormous tonnage. cannot say
3 whether | ought to treat newspapers as
! luxury, a comfort, stimulus.
I necessity or q nuisance in life. they
have been an enormous help TO us in
the effective waging of the war. There
b is no better proof Of this than the
+ brilliant success achieved by the Chan
) cellor of the Exchequer in his recent
war loan speech.
"Still, when we have a chance TO
choose between them and very stern
necessity ! am afraid we shall have to
deprive ourselves of certain number
of their pages and to reduce substan-
TALLY the imports Of paper and ma
terial. We propose TO halve the pres
ent supply Of 100000 tons and reduce
the annual imports to 5000 tons, the
reduction TO be distributed equally be-
tween the printing and packing trades.
We recognize that it is a serious hard
ship, but feel that il is imperative"
The importation of printed posters,
paper hangings and certain kind of for
eign printing matter, books and peri
odicals, the Premier added, would have
TO be prohibited. Otherwise, il would
be unfair 20 the trade in Great Britain.
Also, he said, there would have to be
restrictions in the use of paper for
posters. for catalogues and for govern
ment departments.
Desirable, But Not Necessary