AN INTERESTING SPEECH.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 126, 29 May 1916, Page 5

AN INTERESTING SPEECH.

MR ASQUITH AND ME BIRRELL DEFENDED. PEACE NOT TO BE EXPECTED YET. LONDON. May 27. In a speech at Raw tens tall, Mr Hareourt said Ministers bitterly resented the outrageous and scurrillous abuse of Mr Asquith, who commanded his colleagues’ affection and confidence. It was useless to discuss peace terms. ’ The Allies ’ armies must endure much more before a pacific discussion was possible unless there was an early complete collapse of the enemies, which he did not prophesy, He could not imagine he would ever have communion with a German again. lie desired to inflict as much retributive justice on their foes as they deserved.

Mr Harcourt said Mr Birroll liad paid a probably ill-deserved penalty for thinking things were better than they were. Retribution for the rising had been stern, sharp and short, but it was not malignant or extensive in proportion to the number of soldiers killed and maimed.