Mr. Hobhouse denied that the. situation was "desperate," as Mr.
Houston had said. When the Cabinet resigned the supply of ammunition to the Army in the field bad increased by over two hundred per cent. since last August, and this without taking into account our supplies to the Navy and to our allies. If it were true that the French had increased their supplies by six hundred per cent., our own----all included —did not fall far short of that figure. Mr. Hobhouse then suggested dangers in the Ministry of Munitions Bill. He feared Mr. Lloyd George, with his autocratic powers, might injure trade, and the financial condition of the country after all depended on its trade. Mr. John Hodge, Acting Chairman of the Labour Party, spoke most earnestly, and with the obvious approval of his party, of the desire of Labour to help. Strikes, he said, were inconceivable. Trade Union sacrifices might be great, but they were as nothing to the sacrifices of the men who were laying down their lives in order that people at home might enjoy their liberties. " Far better," he said, "to give up some privileges now than to have no liberties at all, as would be the case if Germany were successful." The speech made a great impression on the House. Other Labour Members spoke quite as strongly.
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