REPLY TO CRITICISM.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1919, Page 3

REPLY TO CRITICISM.

BY HON. H. ASQUITH

•Australia <*-. N.Z. Cable Association.)

(Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, May 17. (delayed).

Hon. H. Asquith, at Newcastle, replied to criticism of his speech at Newcastle in April, 1915, in which he denied that the Army’s operations in "France were crippled by the Government failure to provide necessary munitions and had thus lulled the country into a false sense of security. He declared the statement unscrupulous and shamelessly travestied for several years, for political purposes, but he had refrained from replying to misrepresentations during the war. Mr Asquith proceeded to outline the successful efforts for his Government, in securing increased munitions in 1914-15, the need of which was

acutely realised. He came to Newcastle in April 1915 for tho purpose of urging Tyneside and other workers to increaso their output. 'His statement /denying the lack of munitions was made after consulting Lord Kitchener, iwlio had been personally Consulting Lord French .

Mr Asquith asked—Where else could he have applied for authentic information than to Lord Kitchener. He added that the statement was carefully listened to. In the past he had not attempted to conceal Government’s anxiety ns to the future, but he emphasised that all military authorities were agreed that a large, rapid increase in munitions was indispensible.