Mr. Boner Law, replying in the House on Wednesday to
Mr. Samuel's complaint that the Government estimates of shipbuilding had been far too rose-coloured, admitted that the output for January and February had been very disappointing, owing to labour unrest, and also through the diversion of men to repairing work. The Government had decided " to let the people of the country, and particularly the men in the shipyards, know the real position, and how serious that position is." The Allies had hitherto objected to the publication of the losses in tonnage. But the Government would somehow " bring home to the men in the shipyards that what they are doing now, and will be doing in the next few months, is as vital as what is being done in the lines at the front." We share Mr. Boner Law's confident belief that the shipyard workers will do their best when they realize how much depends upon their industry and skill. It is a pity that the true state of the case was not sooner made known to the people.
Previous page
