We should think, however, that Sir John Simon will find
it difficult to reconcile his present exultation over Mr. Lloyd George's " conquest of unemployment " with what he said only last September. A correspondent of the Daily Telegraph has opportunely unearthed a speech which Sir John then made at Cupar. Here is an extract from the speech :— " Do not let us, whatever party we belong to, go forward at the next election like a cheap-jack in a fair and announce that we have got some patent remedy which will sweep unemployment away without question and without delay. It is a long, slow, difficult business. We are far more likely, as honest men and women, to tackle it well, do something to limit the evil, and ultimately to eradicate the disease if we speak humbly and face facts as they really are."
Sir John added that artificially made work was not a substitute for national work. All experience proved that it was not. He suggested that one most important result could be secured if the affairs of the country were so conducted as to improve credit, to reduce the interest on money, and to make capital more easily available for productive enterprise. One can scarcely conceive a more direct negative of the spirit of Mr. Lloyd George's plan for a hectic parade of emergency workers on specially provided jobs.
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