TO THE MEMORY OF KITCHENER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2804, 23 June 1916, Page 5

TO THE MEMORY OF KITCHENER

A NATIONAL MONUMENT TRIBUTES IN THE HOUSE OF , COMMONS By Telegrap'U-Prcss Association-Copyright London, June 21. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith moved that the Government should erect a monument to Lord Kitchener at the public expense, with an inscription expressing the admiration of both Houses for his illustrious career, and . their gratitude for his services. He said that the House, before' adjourning on June 1, had given Lord Kitchener a strong expression dence. Next day Lord Kitchener had met many members of the House, including some persistent and apparently irreconcilable critics, with the result that they had parted on terms of complete understanding. On his last interview with Olr. Asquith, Lord, Kitchener had expressed pleasure at the result of that meeting with the members of the House of Commons, which he hqped wouid ho the first step towards increased confidence and sympathy. There was no thought on cither side that the parting would be more than temporary; but Providence in its wisdom had prepared a sudden release from the burden of care and toil.- Those who remained, and especially those who had shared his counsel in the greatest emergency of our time, bowed the head before the v-Su-preme Will, with whom were the issues of life and death. ' Mr. Asqnith paid a tribute to Lord Kitchener's share in the emancipation and later administration of Egypt, 'he foundation and pacification of South Africa, and the reorganisation of the Indian Army and the Imperial Forces. Since the war he had brought to Lis task all the energy and resourcefulness of lxia masterful personality. His career had been cut short in its full tide; it had not exhausted his powers-and possibilities. None was less fitted, Mr. Asquith said, than himself to analyse Lord Kitchener's faculties and appraise his services to the State. He could only say that he had known few men who had less reason to shrink from submitting their lives to the judgment of God. Mr. Bonar Law seconded'the'motion, Lord Kitchener's strength, he said, lay less in mental processes than in sound instinot. He had never doubted ultimate victory.

Mr. Wardle supported the proposal. He said that Lord Kitchener was known as absolutely straight. ) Sir George Eeid said, there must be a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death. Australia owed Lord Kitchener the boon of a sound military system. The motion was assented to by tho House.