COMPULSORY SERVICE BILL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2758, 29 April 1916, Page 5

COMPULSORY SERVICE BILL

INTRODUCED AND WITHDRAWN By Tclugranli—Press Assoclation-CooyrSrrl" London, April 27. There was a, sensation in'the House of Commons when Mr. W. Long introduced the Compulsory Service 'Bill, embodying tile Cabinet's compromise. Owing to tho hostility of the Compulsionists and Voluntaryists, Mr. Asqiuth later announced that the Bill had been withdrawn. UNFAIR AND ILLOGICAL. SPEECH BY SIR EDWATiT) CARSON. (He* April 28, 5.15 p.m.) London, April 27. Mr. Long, in introducing the Bill embodying the Cabinet compromise, said it was a measure of military necessity, urged upon tho Government by their military advisers. Tho question of unattested married men would bo dealt with in a later measure. Tho Bill would he read a third time next week, then would follow the recess. Sir Edward Carson said ho ..favoured compulsion, hut not the unfair compulsion of this Bill. It was impossible to concern" anything more unfair, illogical, ,and unreasonable, If the Bill wn,? oer-.

sisted in, he would divide the House. What right had the Government to single out these men, when they dared not bring in the genuine Bill?

Mr. Stephen Walsh (Labour) was loudly cheered for demanding the instant introduction of general compulsion. Mr. Walsh said he believed the country would support the Government if it decided on all-round compulsion. Mr. H. C. Duke (Unionist) deprecated the Bill. It_ was truo it was introduced in a time of stress, but it did not embody the whole military policy of the Government as the House knew it, but in the present form it would meet its obvious fate.

Mr. W. M. R. Pringle declared tho Bill a miserable makeshift, and it had not any friends.

.. Mr. Asqnith was not present during the whole of the debate. He was hurriedly recalled, and admitted the Bill bad not been received encouragingly in any quarter, not owing, to its proposals, but to the time and manner of its introduction, lie recognised' the force of tho criticisms. It might be. reintroduced later, but the Government did not wish to.force a measure which the House was not prepared to accent.

Mr. E. J. Ellis Griffiths (Liberal) hoped the Cabinet crisis would not be reopened wheutbe Bill was withdrawn. Mr. Asquith Replied that ho was able to reassure tho Houso on that point.

Mr. J. H. Thomas (Labour), secretary of the Rnilway Union, opposed the Bill, and would oppose any stronger measure.

Several members appealed to Mr. Asqu.itti. to give an .indication of tho Gov. raiment's intentions,

Mr. Asquith replied that it was impossible to say on the spur of the moment, but promised the attention of Cabinet to the House of Commons! objections, and would announce the decision next week. Strong speeches followed by Comipilsionists, who denounced the Government's dilatoriness, and by Voluntaryists, who denounced the prospective general compulsion. _ ; Upon Mr. Long's motion the Bill was withdrawn. NO SURPRISE IN THE LOBBIES. SITUATION TO BE REVIEWED. (Rec. April 28, 9.55 p.m.) London, April 27. There is little or no surprise in the lobbies at the withdrawal of the Compulsory Service Bill, as the reception was chill. It is understood the War Council will review the situation to-morrow, and submit fresh proposals.