THE PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH
Snt,—I am firmly convinced that all of us should study care- fully the Prime Minister's speech in order to realise what may lie ahead.
By his plea for a widespread sacrifice of trade he would seem to disregard the aftermath of such a policy: whereas countries which, in spite of paramount difficulties, succeed in preserving their overseas markets will be the powerful ones when the present conflict is ended.
To maintain the war machine at incessant top speed, sacrificing all else in the process, compelling an extensive change-over from one occupation to another and increasing wages so freely, will precipitate far-reaching post-war crises with distress and unemployment. A glance backwards to the years succeeding the Peace Treaty should act as a consistent warning to everyone. For instance, in 1920, the quartern loaf cost Is. 4d., butter 3s. 4d. per lb., sugar Is. per lb. and eggs 9d. each. Further, in the depression of 1929, although millions of people were in dire distress, huge quantities of fish and coffee were deliberately and 'repeatedly dumped into the sea: this was aimed at restricting supplies, and thereby maintaining economic prices. These are but a very few of the sequelae to 1914-18, when everything was destruction, without due regard to the years that were to follow.
Tile Prime Minister stated the desire of the Allies to be for a "social, human, just Christian settlement." It would materially promote such an ideal were our War Aims clearly defined without further delay. Such a step is all the more advisable because Herr Hitler continues incessantly to instil into the German people the belief that any. yielding on their part would inevitably result in another "Versailles."—! am,
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