Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 29, 5 February 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

IN THE COMMONS. United* Press Association, i London, February 4. Mr Asquith, in the House of Commons, replying to Radical complaints as to private members being deprived of their rights if plural voting should be carried, said the country was in the presence of horrible and unspeakablo possibilities, adding that no human being can assume the responsibility for naming the day when they could resume domestic controversies. He believed that party was the salt and essence of British public life, but there were times when it must be in abeyance.

Mr Bonar Law said he wished to correct a misapprehension. It was erroneously thought that, as the Government supplied the Opposition privately with information respecting the plans for the prosecution of the war, therefore the Opposition to some extent shared their responsibility. It must be perfectly plain that the Opposition had no responsibility, and in criticising the action of the Government were influenced solely by what they considered the national interest. Mr Asquith replied that the Government alone was responsible for the policy of the country and the conduct of naval and military operations. He did not desire in any way to abrogate or share the responsibility with anyone or to shrink from fair, legitimate, and patriotic criticism. The supplying of'information to the Opposition did not fetter its right to criticise. Ha acknowledged the co-operation, patriotic in spirit and of inestimable value, that the leading members of the Opposition had given to the Government.

NO IMPERIAL CONFERENCE IN 1915. (Received 8.40 a.m.) London, February I. Lord Harcourt, in the House of Commons, announced that there would be no Imperial Conference this year. CANADIAN KILLED WHILE FLYING. (Received 12.M0 p.m.) London, February I. Lieutenant Sharpe, a Canadian, was killed while flying at Shoreham.