28 JANUARY 1922, Page 3

In conclusion, the Prime Minister referred to the Geddes Committee.

" People talk about the axe. They have no idea how many nails there are in the wood." The Report of the Committee would be published when it was completed. It would provoke criticism and resistance, but the nation must take into account, not merely what it would like to do, but what it could afford to do. Peace abroad must be accompanied by peace at home and freedom from class war. National unity, as opposed to the party system, was essential until normal con- ditions were restored. .Liberals and Conservatives had nothing to quarrel about.