BRITISH PARLIAMENT AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2377, 5 February 1915, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT AND THE WAR

OPPOSITION'S METIER London, February 3. In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law said he wished to correct a misapprehension. It was erroneously thought that as the Government had supplied the Opposition privately with information respecting its plans for the prosecution of the war that, therefore, the Opposition to some extent shared in their responsibility. It must be perfectly plain that the Opposition had no responsibility, and in criticising, or refraining from criticising the action of the Government, it was influenced solely by what it considered the national interest. The Prime Minister (Mr. Asquith) replied that the Government was alone responsible for the policy of the country and the conduct of the naval and military operations. He did not desire in , an}; way to abrogate or share the responsibility with anyone, or shrink from fair, legitimate, and patriotic criticism. The supplying of information to the Opposition did not fetter its tight of criticism. He acknowledged the co-operation, patriotic in spirit and of inestimable value, the leading members of the Opposition had given the Government.

TRUCE TO PARTY STRIFE. (Rec. February 5, 0.30 a.m.) London, February 4. Mr. Asquith (the Prime Minister), speaking in the House of Commons, in replying to Radical complaints that private members would be deprived of their rights if plural voting snould be carried, said that the country was in the presence of horrible and unspeakable possibilities. "No human being can assume the responsibility of naming a day when we can resume domestic controversies. I believe that party is the salt and essence of British public life, but there are times when it must rest in abeyance." .