IN SECRET SESSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2756, 27 April 1916, Page 5

IN SECRET SESSION

BRITISH PARLIAMENT AND COMPULSION A MEMORABLE SCENE THE OFFICIAL REPORT By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright London, April 25. In tho House of Commons, at the end of question time, Mr. Asquith Was loudly cheered on rising. Speaking impressively and deliberately, ho said: "I beg, Sir, to call your attention to strangers present." The Speaker rose and said:' "The question is, that strangers be ordered to withdraw." Thero general cry of "Aye," and a few scattered "Noes." , . _ A division was challenged. The question was put a third time, and carried. 1 without a division. . A MEMORABLE SCENE. (Rec. April 26, 6.10 p.m.) London, April 25. Extraordinary interest was shown by members of the House in the secret session. Members began to assemble at 7.30 p.m., and every seat was appropriated, many taking their places in the distinguished strangers' and Press galleries. There was a remarkabl* attendance of Ministers and ex-Ministers. Some two hundred members ,wero in khaki. After prayers, the Chamber was a scene of extraordinary animation, and members hurried over the questions stage of the sitting.

CROWDED SITTING OF THE LORDS. ' London, April 25. The House of Lords was crowded. Strangers, including tho ''Press, were rigorously excluded. Lord Kosobory was present for the first_ time sinco tho division -oil the Parliament Act, when he made tho speech which ho described as his "swan song." AN-EXPLANATION, (ltcc. April 26, 9 p.m.) London, April 25. In the House of Lords, tho Marquis of Grott'o explained that " tho secret session was due to the fact that the courso which tho Governmont proposed might not meet the full desires*, of the extremists of either side, and therefore he wished to make a full statement containing much confidential information bearing on the subject of recruiting. The Marquis of Salisbury protested against l , tho closing of the galleries before the House had been consulted. He declared that a similar procedure should have been followed as had been observed in the House of Commons. The Marquis of Lansdownc thought that the protest was not unreasonable, but he thought that it was really im-, portant to get into secret session as early as. possible.

OFFICIAL REPORT* OF THE SESSION GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS TIME LIMIT FOR FINAL EFFORT The High Commissioner reports:— London, April 26, 1.40 a.m. _ "Mr. Asquith, speaking in secret session in the House "of Commons, today, said that the recruiting results obtained hitherto had fallen short of the requirements necessary to fulfil our proper military effort's. The Government's minor proposals were: — "To prolong, until the end of the war, the service of time-expired men whoso period of service under the present law can bo extended for ■ one year_ouly; ' "To empower the military authority to transfer men enlisted for . Territorial battalions to any unit where needed; "To render exempted men liable . to military service immediately on the expiry of their certificate of exemption; ''"With a view to an ultimate addition to the forces available,. it is further proposed to bring under the terms of the Military Service Act all youths under eighteen on August 15 last, as that age is reached.

Mr. Asquith further stated that the Government, recognising that the necessary numbers to discharge our military , obligations were unavailable for service in the required time under the present arrangements, agrees: "That an 1 immediate effort shall be made to obtain the men required, by voluntary enlistment from unattested married men; "If, after a month ending May 27, 50,000 of these men are not secured by direct enlistment, the 1 Govern- , ment will propose forthwith to ask Parliament for compulspry powers; "If, in any week after May 27, • 15,000 men have not been secured by direct enlistment, the same course to be taken; "The arrangements mentioned to hold good until 200,000 unattested men have been obtained; "Meantime the position to bo under the constant review of the ■ Government." The ( Prime Minister pointed out that under the proposed schemo all the available unattested married men would be enlisted voluntarily or under compulsion. The main ground alleged for the release of attested married men would disappear. "After debate, it was arranged that to-morrow's sitting would be held under similar conditions as to secrecy."

UNIONIST WAR COMMITTEE DISSATISFIED ADVERSE RESOLUTION PASSED. (Rec. April 2G, 11.25 p.m.) London, April 26. , At a meeting of the Unionist War Committee, Sir Edward Carson presiding, a resolution was adopted recording dissatisfaction at the delay involved in the Government's proposals as disclosed at the secret session.

GKBMAN.PRESS WATCHING EVENTS

FRENCH COMMENT CORDIAL BUT TACTFUL. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) - , London, April 25. The German Press is restrained and

cautious regarding a secret session of the British Parliament. It is obviously surprised that the crisis was so \|iiicldy overcome. The French Press is cardial but tactful, and evidently anticipates quick compulsion. The "Figaro" says:— "Britain realises that her Continental Allies are hampered in the struggle for Ivorld liberties because they have not the ocean oil all their frontiers. Britain decided to sacrifice her rights and 'inciont privileges for fair play and tho honour of France. We are delighted 'wjtli this act from the proud British