The Non-Ferrous Metal Industry Bill, which is designed to prevent
the German metal syndicate from regaining its hold over our indus- tries, was read a second time in the House of Commons on Tuesday by a majority of 182 votes to 79. The Bill was hotly criticized on general economic grounds, but Mr. Sonar Law in an able and per- suasive speech brought the House back to tho real issue. As Press dent Wilson said on November 12th, the Germans were trying by economic methods, with the help of the State, to establish a political domination over the labour and industry of the world. We had to show them that we knew our power to harm them, and that we should not hesitate to use it, if necessary. At the end of the war the main question would be the supply of raw materials. The longer the war lasted, the less there would be to go round, and the Allies would help themselves first, leaving very little for the enemy. The Bill would enable the Government to prevent Germany from con- trolling British companies which deal in copper, speller, tin, or lead, the supply of which is vital to our industries. As a war measure, it should be simple and effective.
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