THE HONG KONG TELEGRAPH.
THE ROAD TO VICTORY.
MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS.
Appeal to Labour.
HOW WORK IS STILL BEING DELAYED.
Plot-Mongers Warned off Munitions Ministry,
The Second Step,
EXTRA
HONGKONG, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1915.
·80,000 Protest.
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refer to it.
National Factories.
and what can make immediate ita-
The War Badge.
have reserved a good deal of the quite inadequate, more especially We ascertained which of those pression is that the men should The only other point as to labour available shell-power for a special for the shell of heavier calibre. men were available by communi-iling the whole of their strength which I have to say something programme we are about to We have, therefore, taken the cating first of all with the employ- and energy into tarning our shout is badges. This is a most develop and if hot. members step of placing all the great ere of these volunteers, to find out munitions of war--(alears).
troublesome question. The fact know that there is a good deal of machine tool makera in the coun- where there was any objection to
of the matter is that badges have lathe and machine-tool power in try under direct Government their being taking away and the
The Importance of the Appeal. been given indiscriminately quite, their districts not being used to control. We summoned thens to ground of objection. We
Ioannot, without giving figures indiscriminately, and there are the full and will only wait for egether, and without protests and have received proteste from which I ought not to give, make hundreds of thousands of work- time, they will know the reason without exception they undertook employers in respect of something my hon. frioade realise how vital man in this country wearing why we have not utilised those to become practically Government like 80,000 volunteers. We have ly important it is to the intereste badges who ought never to have workshops for the moment is that factorica during the war-(bear, formed a body of business men of this country and the protection had badges (hear, hear). There we need them for another par hear). This will enable them to representing various trades to in of the mep in the trenches-to were some cases in which the pose, which in our judgment is concentrate their energies during vestigate these proteste, and also the comrades of these men, the War Office found its reoraiting was for the time-being more import the next few months for the pur sat up an extensive system of one of these men, the relatives of so badly interfered with that for ant. Bat we have already by the pose of increasing very consider local investigation. The adjadi these men-I cannot without the moment, perhaps, they went organisation of these co-operative ably the manchinery available for cators are now sitting in the giving figures which I dare not to the extreme, and gave too few areas, and by setting up these the output of war munitions, munition offices engaged in con- give, adequately imprese upon badges. I think we have been boarde of management, increased formed a strong committee of sidering these proteots. Thon them the importance of their do- able to Establish a basie upon enormously the prospect of receiv-machine tool makers, who are sands of these men have already ing during the next few months which we can give badges. We ing within the next few weeks now silting at
the ermament been placed under the conditions their very best to increase the out-propose that badges shall be given complete shells for the supply of buildings for the purpose of their enlistment. The work put in these yards,
where the Monition Ministry are the Army.
of directing the operations of the will now proceed at an accelerated Mr. Tyson Wilson: Can the satisfied that the member is en-
whole of the maqbise tool manus. pase, and we hope in the couree right hon. gentleman say if there geged on war work, and, in the
facturers in the kingdom. The of the next few days to place has been a great improvement in second place, that the men are of In addition to the arranging of result of all this will be to increase several thousand more. We pro the places where meetings have a class who, through the posses co-operative areas, we have also very considerably not merely the pose to organise a reserve for been held?
sion of special akili or otherwise, set up sixteen national factories output of shells, but it will in another project on B very oon. Mr. Lloyd Georga: I hate are irreplaceable by other labour. in different parsa of the country. Crease considerably the power at siderable acale which
we are answering the question, but I am The mere fact of a man being They will be national in their the disposal of the nation at short Speaking in the House of Com, new works, even with the greatest about to launch.
bound to sey I have made in-engaged on monition work is not control and in their management. notice to turn out even more than mons on July 28, Mr. Lloyd expedition in the world, you can
The Front.
quiries during the last few days, eucugh to justify him in claiming We are filling these factories with we have ordered if the emergency George reviewed the work of the not hope to get any substantial
As to the question of releasing and I am told that in some 01803 a badge if it is possible for the the requisite machinery and pro- demands. Ministry of Munitions since it was output from these works for some men from the front, it was no use the position is worse. It is so man to be replaced by another man viding the necessary labour. established. He said: I gave a weeks or even months, and, there appealing to the men themselves.
Ten National Establishments. promise to some hon. members fore the immediate supply of They did not want to leave deplorable I do not know how to who would do his work just as Same of the machinary is obtained well and who was not fit for en by direct orders from maobine- that I would make a statement be materials depends on our taking (cheers). That is a vary oredi-
The Limitation of Production, listment. We have trastisfy our tool manufactures, and come by
No I come to another point of fore wo separated, and I feel steps to facilitate, expedite, sad table story-(renewed cheers). Mr. McCallum Scott: Would selves as to those two conditions requisition from existing firms, considerable importance, "und I bound to say something about two speed up the work of those who The men who wanted to leave the right hon. gentleman specify before a badge is given, and we and I must say we find the manu was rather perplexed an to the or three questions which have bave undertaken contracts and were not sngineers at all. The a little more particularly the are taking very elaborate mea facturers quite willing to help us to extent it would be prudent for me been raised in the last few works who have got the machinery for engineers themselves hardly ever nature of the rales and of the sure in order to satisfy ourselves the utmost of their power (bear, to dwell on this. Bot 1 have in this House. The time really is the purpose. More work had stopped forward. They are all practices which at the present on that ground. The employer hear). The labour is secured in consulted with the Prime Minister, not rips for making anything in bean allocated than they were anxious to stay at the front. We moment are restricting the pro- has first of all to make applica. various ways, which I have al- and he is of opinion that it would the nature of a full statement-1 capable of doing owing to the communicated with the ship daction? It would be helpful to tion for his men, and has to give | ready indicated. These sixteen be well that it should be knowa am not referring to the past-bat shortage of machinery and la- building and engineering firms those members who in the next reasons why they ought to be given national facto ion will be placed what are the preparations we are as to future schemes it is impos-bour.
themselves and asked them to few daye will be in the country. badges. These reasons will be ander the control of local boards making. There is a balanga of sible to give the House anything
send a return of men who had
Mr. Lloyd George: The Trada carefully examined, and upon the of management. When they are advantages and disadvantages in like an adequate idea of what ban With regard to the second, there enlisted from their shops and the Union members kow perfectly basis of the report which we get in full play there will be an en talking about this in public, but been, is being, and is about to be has been a clamour everywhere anile they had joined. This well what they are. It is a sort the badges will be given. We armousineresse in the output of the Prime Minister has come to accomplished. Naturally there for more labour. There were re ura shows that scores of thou- of unwritten rule; it is a practice have given an undertaking that shelle for the supply of our forces. the conclusion that on the whole is some most important work some machines in the armament sands of highly skilled men had whereby production is limited rates of wages will not be reduced The advantage which a national the balance is in favour of indicat which we are undertaking of works lying very idle with no enlisted. We have been able to almost by the amount the average if the output is increased. which it would be highly imprad labour to work them. In addition arrange a basis with the War man say, can pro face. If a man
shell factory has over mere co-ing what we are doing-(hear, but for me to say anything about to that, about four-fifths of the Office for the return of some of goes beyond a certain limit it is
Fresh Sources of Supply. operation between firms consists hear). A few weeks ago 1 had Some steps have been taken in economy in working. We are the privilege of attending an im- the details. With regard to the machines were not working fall these men. Unfortunately, it ex- regarded se an act of disloyalty for organising fresh sources of convinced we cau tarn out shells portent conference at Boulogne organisation of the office, we had capacity. We had a cones of all clades the men who are already to his comrades. It is a very supply: The first stop we are sta much lower price than that with the French Minister of Muni to take over part of an organisa- the machinery in the kingdom abroad and those in the armige on well-known practice (hear, hear) taking is to extend existing fao-which we are paying. There will be tione. There were very distin- tios, and I am not sure it would and we found that only one-fifth the point of leaving, and there and daring the period of tories. It is rather diffi salt to go better control and better facilities guiabed artillery officers from the not have been easier to set up a explayed on Government work fore, we are conficed to perhaps a peace there are reasons for it as into detail as to the steps we are for inspection, and we think we French Army and from the British completely
organisation. was used for night shifte, so that third or a fourth of the skilled well as against it.. Undoubtedly taking in theconnection. A good shall have less trouble with labour, Expeditionary Force who attend- That was impossible, for we had if we had been able to arrange two men who have joined the coloure. the employers have been respon deal has been said about the and that is an undoubted advented, and they prepared de cotes to to get the experience of men who or three shifts for the purpose of Within the last month thousande eible because in the past the mo- ehortage of rifles and machine-age. We think that labour will the lessons of the campaign in the had been engaged in the work working these machines we could have been released from the ment the men began to put for- gane, All I should like to any be readier to dispense with these matter of war material. As a and who knew a good deal about have enormously incressed the the details of the work which had output. I am glad to be able to us, and now, as the result of ward the whole of their strength about that is this: I think I can rather restrictive practices when result of that and subsequent con
fresh arrangements which I have the employers reduced piece rates. sasure the House that the steps the men are working in a national ferences it has been decided to been accomplished.
may we have been able to akis just made with the Secretary for Of course, it was a gross piece of we hate taken and are taking to faotory, where no one can pos- embark on a new and a great pro- Patriotic Business Men. these firms considerably either We have trebled and more than through the agency of the Mania, many more thousands will irabled the size of the staff which tions Ministry or of the Lisboare available in the course of
the next few weeke, and I am told out of the minds of the men, but had been occupied in the work Exchanges. We have succeeded that if this is not enough I had do hope they will take note of which we are now undertaking. doring the past month in adding better discuss the matter later on the solemn undertaking which is
Two Systems in Co-operation.
in order to meet this new and We have had practically to create the labour available in the works would rather not give the exact put into an Act of Parliament that
necessary in order to enable us to ary for us to set up immediately Bat both systems are absolutely gigantio demand it will be neces a new staff, a very difficult under-connected with armaments 40,000
total figure. taking. Fortunately, we have men and women, nearly one balf
at the end of the war the fact of to fructify, as all those who have get the full benefit of all the reten large national establishments, had placed at our disposal the of them skilled men. They are I come now to the other branch now will not prevent them from and machine-guns know very have national shell factoring, work-which I have already referred. their abandoning these, practices boon engaged in turning out rilles acurces of the country. We shall in addition to the sixteen to services of a very considerable still pouring in, not only for work of the subject, namely, the relaxa restoring them then. It is sawell, but a beginning has to being side by side with private firms. They will be establishments which men io the ing machinery which has been tion of Trade Union regulations vital that those practices should made, and unless I am mistaken torning out shells, and we shall will belong to the Government, business world, men of wide ex-lying idle, but to enable night and practice. We arrived at an he abandoned during the warthat in the signs of the times the have the full advantage of both and will be controlled by the perience, who have been obarged shifts to be increased in number, agreement with the engineering even an underisking of that kind action we have taken will ensure those schemes of output. We found Government. The experience of with very considerable under-This bag had a great effect in ex societies that there should be a must be honoured(cheers), takings. They have placed their pediting the obligations of these complete relaxation of them in
results of a character that will that some, and oven a great deal, existing armament firms will be An Unnecessary Strike, services voluntarily at the disposal firms. The yawning chasm be- respect of establishments that we
impress themselves upon the of ste shortage was due to the used in order to manage and equip of the Ministry of Munitions, and tween promise and performance; control. I regret that up to the perhape, I caght to call attention war is likely to be brought to a shell bodies in very considerable necessary etaff, and for that pur
There is another practice that course of the war long before that face that, although you turn out them and provide them with the are rendering excellent services, although not altogether bridged present i cannot make any very to. This is a practice that where satisfactory conclusion. each in his own department. Iovor, has been considerably eatisfactory report. I should like there is a shortage of skilled men
numbers, you might be short of lose they will probably be erected think I can say that there are at reduced, and we hope to bring to appeal to Trade Union leaders aron a partionlar job other men orcase very considerably the was darential to the complete of the great existing establish- some particular compound which somewhere in the neighbourhood least 90 men of first-class busi- the two at an earily date to cross-to bring legitimate pressure upon who are quite competent to assist supply of bombs and hand-shell. It might be a fuse, primer monts. To provide these ne ness experience who have placed ing distance.
the men in their societies to work are not allowed to do so. We grenades for trench warfare, and or gauge. There is always some establishmenta with la bou their services voluntarily at the
100,000 Volunteers, the arrangement made with the have had a solema understanding I think the enemy know well the thing you don't think sufficient
the new Munitions Volunteer disposal of the Ministry of Mani- As to mauition workers we have Government in a more liberal that in those cases where it is progress we have already made in of. We bare, therefore, had set army will be drawn upon. We tions, and the vast majority of enrolled nearly 100,000-(cheers). | msnner nad 1 more absolutely urgent and necessary this direction. them have done so without any The great bulk of them are skill satisfactory extent. I am told that the Trades Unions would allow
op two or three national fatories shall also bave to draw on the men The Question of Shells. remuneration. Some of them are ed in the engineering trades and the man could easily turn out at other unskilled men or skilled
in order to increase the supply of who have been brought back managers of very great concerns, shipbuilding. The difficulty bae least 20 per cent, more shot, shell, men of another kind to go there question of shells. The steps we
Now I come to the all-important some of those special components, from the Army, and we hope to and the firms are, I think, in most been that they are not alt avail cannon and material of war if they to assist, yet they have refused to have taken are of a threefold oher in turning out a complete shell. harto been the case the assistance go that there should be no delay a much large extent than has hit- clsce paying them salaries which able for Government work. Near could take themselves during the allow that. I have a case in point acter. We have divided the
of women in these establishments. the State could not afford to pay. ly all are engaged in work ofcome | war sway from the domination of now where there is a strike at this country into great co-operative These men are exceedingly help-degree of importanoa. We had practices which control their moment beoase. plumbers were areas in order. to use the whole
Industry, fal; in fact, without their help it to strike off men who were not action in time of prace. This is brought in ti asiat coppersmiths of the machinery available in
Women Labour. The next step we have taken is In this respect we shall follow would be quite impossible for me conscious that they were doing a very serious matter, and it is There are not enough copper those areas to turn out munitions with regard to machine tools. the example of France and Ger- to have improvised a great de Government work, men engaged very essential: It is equivalent smiths to go round. The work of war. We have set up a The organisation of the row many (hear, hear). There is a partment on the scale on which in making screws and bolts used to adding not merely scores of could not be done because there management" board of business source of supply brings us face to limit to the amount of male labour this department has necessarily to in shipbuilding; and men engaged thousands of these things, but were too few. Bat the plumbers men in these areas, whose busi face with the fact that there was available especially if the war is be organised and arranged. on machinery for making Army nearly hundreds of thousands of could assist, and notice was given ness it is to organise the whole of an alarming abortage in the prolonged, and I am convinced
The First Step.
biscuits. We shall do well if we man to those yards. To get the to the Union that they wars to be the available machinery for in- machinery available for this pur- from the experience of some of the The work that has been done is get the use of one-fifth of the men man to suspend this practice is brought in. The whole of the creasing the output of shells and pose. We had a census taken of armament firms in the ooo! try of a twofold character. Up to the who have enrolled. Any attempt all we ask. My hon. friend (Mr. copperamiths walked out, and up other material. We have placed all the machinery in the kingdom, that there is a good deal of work, present, it has consisted in spoed- to take the whole of them would Hodge) and those asscoiated with to this moment, sa far as I know, at the disposal of these boards of We had about 40,000 replies from especially work of a finer kind, ing up existing contracts, and also be to invite disaster. We had to him would render a great service they are still out. This is de management skilled engineste, in the engineering firms.. It reveal which can be done so well, in opening up, fresh, sourses of divide munition, volunteers into to the state if they were ableto per plorable, and I do hope that the
engineered a orniderable number of father if Dos better, by women supply. The first task consisted three classes. First those engage suade the men to relax those ruler, influence of my hon. friends will to enable them to use all the and toils not need now for than by men. It will be necessary, in quickening the work of existing ed indirectly on munition work; regulations, and practices during be exerted that the inficence of machinery available in the dis- Government work, but which therefore, in these new arsenals, to a-mament firms. The opening up secondly, those engaged on import, the period of the war; because all Trades Union leaders will be trist for the manufacture of shells could be used for the purpose, draw to a mach larger extent on of new sources of supply simply snt work where some portion of anything that can be done by exerted to persuade the men that and the necessary shell, compon. It also showed us that the number that reserve than we have hit- meant the provision of war ma- them could be taken away; third the Government in the way of in these case it is really quite ents These areas have by so of machine tools available in this berto done if you set up now machinery and Government work.
ordam we have given them. - We essential for us to undertake was
number of
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Trade Union Regulations.
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folly, and it takes a long time to
get an experience of that kind
increase the supply of these ossibly suggest there is any profis gramme which will very consider- eentials will, I believe when they made by anybody but the nation. ably tax the engineering resources
are known, satisfy every reason- able critic. Unfortunately any extension of machinery in this direction takes a very long time
We have also taken steps to in-
Nationalising Machine Tool.
of this country for some months
terial some months hence, because ly, those engaged directly, on organising fresh supplies, can impossible to keep to the rigid, means, been exhausted by the country for the work, which is firm for other armement
make no impression for some time, rules of Trades Unionin.
(To be Continued,