DEBATE IN COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1918, Page 3

DEBATE IN COMMONS.

LLOYD GEORGE REPLIES. 1 TO CRITICISM OF MEMBERS. 1 (Reuter’s Telegram.) LONDON, March 11. In the House of Commons, in reply to the Rt. Hon. Mr. Chamberlain, the Premier said ho disagreed with the contention that the owners and directors of newspapers should not hold Ministerial office. Lord Northcliffe held no Ministerial office, while Lord Rothermere and Lord Beaverbrook gave 1 up all direction of their papers as soon as they were appointed Ministers. Lord Rothermere had already reorganised an important Department of the War Office. His administration of that Department was an unqualified success. Lord Beaverbrook, he said, bad or- J ganised the Canadian war propaganda, which had been most successful. The Premier went on to emphasise the importance of the work of propaganda, which, he said, the enemy had j used with deadly effect in Russia and Italy. Lord Northcliffe had made a special study of the conditions in enemy countries, and no better man qualified to direct tho propaganda in enemy countries could be found in the British Empire. The British Government’s propaganda in all the other Allied countries and in Germany, he said, was being conducted almost exclusively by experienced newspaper men, and, despite the inevitable prejudices which the Government apprehended might be excited, thov concluded that they must follow

that example as the only means of securing an effective presentation of the Allied cause. His one object in this as iri all other Government appointments was to secure men best qualified to do the work efficiently. He reiterated that lie would be nowise • responsible for. the attacks on Admirals and Generals. ft had been suggested that ° member of his staff had inspired such attacks. He bad thoroughly investigated the suggestion and unhesitatingly declared that the imputation was utterly unfounded and unjust. Air. Chamberlain in reply said-' the principles laid down by Mr. Llovd George wove satisfactory, but there hard been too much coincidence between the newspaper attacks on Governmnt servants and the removals of the latter. It was to he regretted that the Premier did not make a clean cut and, sweep away forever, the atmosphere of suspicion and intrigue. Hon. Mr. Asquith said he deplored the organised press campaign that had been carried on during war time against our soldiers and sailors. The first of these was against Lord Kitclierner, and this he (Mr. Asquith) had felt most keenly, and he had consequently advised the King to bestow

the Order of the Garter oh Lord Kitchener at the earliest opportunity, which Tlis Majesty did. It was of the utmost importance that the Government would he free from all suspicion of direct association with the operations of the Pi •ess. Therefore be. advocated that .the Propaganda Department should be absolutely water-tight and be wit" any influence on the policy of the Government. Tt Rt. Hon. Mr. t Lloyd George, in winding up the debate, said he accepted the, fundamental principles laid down hv Mr. Asquith. He said that after his explanation there had boon no real challenge against the action of the Government. He concluded by paying a tribute to Lord Northcliffe. form the standpoint of news organisation, as the man of genius. He was one of the greatest news organisers in the world.

TN THE COMMONS. MR. BALFOUR’S REPLY. Received, this;dav at 8.45 a.m. LONDON, March 12. In the House of Commons, Hon. A. ,T. .Balfour stated Government had information that Japanese forces had arrived in .Siberia, and he could not say when he would be able to give information regarding the proposed Japanese intervention. Peace between Roumania and the Central Powers had not yet been ratified. Government knew the enemy terms before -they were assented to. Tie deeply sympathised with Roumnnia’s cruel position. It was certainly Government’s duty to obtain at' the peae'e conference a revision of the hairh terms imnosed on' Roumania.