31 MARCH 1917, Page 3

It seems to us that the second is the only

argument which could possibly justify the Government in withdrawing the concession. The need of foodstuffs is so urgent as to outweigh even the pro- spective advantage of a largely increased supply of farming imple- ments. What we object to is the attitude apparently adopted by the British manufacturers. It is not their business, but that of the Government, to decide whether the founding of the Ford works will or will not interfere with our food supplies. We hope the Government will make their decision solely on the basis of war urgency, without undue concession to Nationalist susceptibilities on the one hand, or alleged British trade interests on the other.