THE COMMONS IN SECRET SESSION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3083, 14 May 1917, Page 5

THE COMMONS IN SECRET SESSION

INDICATIONS OF HE TREND OF THE DEBATE SIR EDWARD CARSON ON NAVAL CRITICS (Rco. May 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 11 It is officially announced that the House of Commons in secret session considered the report on tho Credit Vote of £500,000,000, agreed to in Committee on Thursday. Mr. A. F. Whyto (Liberals urged belter organisation and co-ordination in tho high naval commands in the Mediterranean. Commander ]]ollairs (U.) pressed for n. more vigorous naval .offensive, younger .personnel in command, more vapid approval of promotions, and a quicker response to important applications to tho Admiralty. , Sir Henry Dalziel (L.) demanded a further appeal to the country to economise m its food supplies, and put a number of questions relating to the war. Sir Edward Carson (First Lord of Ihe Admiralty) welcomed tho instructed criticism. Ho deprecated attacks outside tho House, sometimes arising from interested motives, upon officers of tho Navy. Ho related some recent feats of gallantry and Tosotirco i>v our patrols which had accounted for German submarines, and said he wished he could publish every one, but explained why, in the higher interest of tho war, it was desirable to refrain. Ho urged a due senso of perspective in criticisms of trifling incidents, considering the vast area over which tho operations of tho Navy were carried out, and described the Admiralty's anti-submarine activity in co-operation with the naval air service and coast patrols. Attention was being given to mercantile shipbuilding. Sir Edward Carson detailed the tonnage losses of tho Allies and Jioutrals for tho last three months, but declined to alter the form of tho published weekly losses on which tho Allies had agreed. Ho also emphasised the great advantages arising from America's adhesion to the Allied cause. Mr. Churchill referred with satisfaction to tho chief features of the debate. Although ho was not wholly convinced by Mr. Lloyd George's speech, ho thought that tho demand fur the secret " sitting had been well justified. Mr. Lloyd George gave statistics relating to tho food reserves. Whilst expressing a favourable view of tho genera! situation, ho urged the importance of tho most extensive cultivation of tho land. Tho report of tho Committee's resolution was unanimously agreed to. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eouter.