The Royal Commission which has been Investigating. the manufacture of arms in a world wearying for eace but compelled perpetually to carry the sword has reached the only Yogical conclusion as far as Britain concerned. 'The Commission is repotted to have decided against na-Yonalization' of the industry but favours full government control in. case of hostilities, a step which was taken in the last war. It is manifestly. impossible for any government. to maintain permanently arms manufacturing establishments of such size as to meet all demands of future wars, It 1s possible to maintain a number of establishments and - accumulate supplies which will cover immediate necessities, and. afterwards it is a question of linking up sult abe in-lustness which can be easily transformed to a war-time footing for: manufweturing arms. This was demonstrated during the Great War when British factories of an amazing lery of production revealed flexibility which within a short time, under government direction and organization, were turning out the largest supply of arms of any countty in the confit. Nationalization the industry would not only incur huge annual expenditure but would torand the exclusive maintenance of special Inbour force which, at this stage of returning prosperity in the country, might cripple ordinary commercial' concerns and make the Durden of arms, undesirable as it in present circumstances, more onerous fo the people. On the. justification of such an inquiry there' Is little to be said. The doves of peace still Map their forlorn and appealing way through international affairs but the situation Is too obvious in its possibilities to ignore facts.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.