Evening star., 1940-05-22
Powers
Continued From First Page)


said the object of the drastic bill
was to make effective the whole
resources of the nation 'for what
ever task may fall upon It,"
He called the present situation a
crisis for Britain, demanding
extraordinary and imm ediate
Some establishments, he said, will
be controlled outright at once and
others later as need arises.
Terms of remuneration, hours of
labor and conditions of service, Mr..
Attlee declared, will be prescribed
by the government.
Every one should continue in his
job until ordered to do otherwise,
Mr.. Attlee emphasized.
There must be power to carry on
essential services ne said. "Over
a wide field, industry will be car
ried on for the community and not
for private purposes"
"At this time everything for which
we stand is in jeopardy" Mr.. Attlee
declared, appealing to the nation to
mobilize all its strength to meet the
growing menace of German inva-
sion.
Mr.. Attlee said the government
was not asking these powers in. "any
spirit of panic" but that instant
action was necessary ''in view of the
grave peril in which the nation
stands today"
The measure, known as the emer-
gency powers bill, was published
simultaneously with his announce
ment.
It provides an extension of powers
wtich may be exercised by the King
under the 1899 Emergency Powers
Defense Act.
Fighting Splendidly.
"A great battle is now proceeding"
Mr.. Attlee said. "Our men at sea,
on land and in the air are fighting
with splendid devotion and spirit.
THE government is convinced
that now is the time that we must
mobilize to the full the whole re-
sources of this country.
I'VE must throw all our weight
into the struggle"
1T must be clear to all that the
next few weeks are critical" he said.
Our ruthless enemy who is re-
strained by no considerations of in
ternational law, justice or humanity
is throwing everything into the scale
to force a decision
1--WE are resolved he shall not
succeed.
Whatever may come, we shall
meet 1t as the British people in the
past have done.
1T Is necessary that the govern
ment should be given complete con-
troll over persons and property
not only some persons, but over all
persons, rich or poor, employed or
worker, man or woman"
1t was proposed that the Labor
Ministry set up at once q produce
ton council to be presided over. by
Arthur Greenwood, Labor minister
without portfolio.
Control of banks would be re-
quired either through a central
agency or regional commissioners,
Mr.. Attlee continued.
He warned that questions of COM
pensation would be difficult but said
there would be interim compensa-
ton.
ut is not only industrial business
that will be under control or may be
under control" he continued. There
will have to be control of the
finances of the country and of the
banks.
This will be done under the
orders of the government and the
competent authorities in each case
will be the ministers concerned.
Broadly speaking, we are taking
control in time Of emergency so
that in the national interest we
may utilize all the resources for the
common veal"
Objects Of Measure.
Essential objects of the far-reach-
ing measure, Mr.. Attlee said, were:
l. To eliminate waste in skilled la
Dor. 2. To assure that industry be
carried on for the community as q
whole and not for private profit.
II believe In this critical time"
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