15 DECEMBER 1917, Page 2

Mr. Thomas next dealt with the extraordinary contrast between the

furious outcry which was raised before the war when a few millions were added to the national expenditure upon social reform, and the quiescence with which the nation now consents to spend millions a day on "the destruction of humanity." Of course we cannot admit that what was called "social reform" was always reform or anything like it, but Mr. Thomas was undoubtedly entitled to make the most of the contrast. In general, we admit that it contains a sound lesson for the future. "It has to be realized," Mr. Thomas went on, "that, so far as the workers are concerned, the pre-war standard will never be accepted again."