HINT OF ELECTION IN GREAT BRITAIN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6492, 20 September 1915, Page 4

HINT OF ELECTION IN GREAT BRITAIN.

Labour Member Startles House of Commons.

Kec Sept 17. 11 5 p m. London, 17.

A ppeech delivr-r^d by Mr J H Tli(inia«, Ijihnm M I*. for Derby, wa« tl n fpft'uro of a dnba'e in the 11mmf "•■Hinmns. Tlespukn like a Uuvnnt in mi excited and jmss'.onute manner, -nd with m-nieiii'lou* sincerity, which, startled the House. While for«shadow iug a stoppnjje of the railways in th» even* of nnforcpment of c< niplusicn he said he did not pretend to justify such action. Fiankly he emphasised tlic ditticulty of • vpn now controlling the rail way id en's urrfst. H« iinp'rreH th« House not to ir.ciease the diff'cu'ty and declind hlunth that the woiker> were suspicious of many conscription ist-'. They suspected porno ulteiior motivp. '•What's the game" Mr Thomas shouted, #lls if to remove the l Jrimp M.iiii>tPT," —Lotid Radical choers. Mr Thomas, continuing, said thp Prime Minister could not be replaced in this national cris 8 and the Labour Party would rally to his support. If on the other hand, there were no iatrieues in the agitation, but only an Louest belief that tlie war could be won by other means than the present system, he repeated his warning that the conscriptionists would pplit the nation at a time when the Labour leaders were required to concentrate all their efforts in maintaining industrial peace. Eec Sept 17, 11 15 p m London, Sept 17. Mr Thomas, iv referring to the possible attempt to remove the Prime Minister, asked: "Suppose yo\i force on electiou. Suppose you win. Will you use the soldiers against the minority with food up thirty «five per cent. ? » The Times PBys Mr Thomas's hint at the possibility of an election is the first reference in the Hou?e of Com* mons to the matter, though it has been frequently discussed in the Lobby The new group which would be drawn from Unionibts and Liberal?, represents the first attempt feince the formation of the c alitiou Cabinet, to give organised expressions to what in peace time was regarded as an Opposition policy. > The Daily News lobbyist represen tative says the country is faced with a political crisis of the-first magnitude. Kec Sept 17. 9.59 p m Londen, Sept 17 In the House of Conimous, Sir Ivor Herbert, Liberal Member for South Monmouth, said he did not believe in the menace of an industrial revolution, prophesying that if such occurred it would be the end of trade unionism. Mr Llewellyn Williams, Liberal Member for * Garmartheo, said he accepted the warning and believed even if Parliament . unanimously adopted compulsion they would be unable to enforce it apon hosts of unwilling citizens with strong conscientious objections If, howevfr, the Government adduced 3 evidence of necessity he would accept compulsion ultimately. Mr Asquith, Premier, and Mr Winston Churchill, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, entered the House of Commons during Mr Thomas's speech and listened to it to the end with marked attention.