29 JANUARY 1916, Page 2

In the House of Commons on Friday week Mr. Asquith

made an important statement on the dilution of labour. The Govern- ment, he said, " after the most careful consideration," were con- vinced that the employment of more unskilled and female labour in conjunction with skilled labour in the production of munitions offered " the only prospect "of accomplishing what was necessary to win the war. What had hitherto been accomplished fell " lamentably short " of the requirements. Instructions were being issued to controlled establishments to dilute labour where it had not already been done. He relied confidently upon the support of both employers and workmen in this vital matter.