AN "ENTENTE"?

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 151, 28 June 1915, Page 8

AN "ENTENTE"?

' ♦ — FOR WAR WORK THE PROPOSED DEFENCE COMMITTEE OPINIONS OF LEGISLATORS. Amid tho excitement of the Queen Carnival and the war the significance of the proposed Defence Committee (comprising members of the Government and Opposition, including Labour) may nofc have been fully appreciated by the public. Some members of Parliament are reticent, but there is a feeling that a committee, 'with fair proportional representation of th 6 pal-ties, may be an acceptable alternative to the coalition for which, a number had hoped In* deed, if the functions of the commit* tee are to be as important as the Defence Minister's motion has led the public to anticipate, the new "Entente Committee" may be virtually a "Coalition Ministry" in regard to All war matters. Subtract war and the things of war from the session, and what is left? The Prime Minister has already declared that no party legislation will be introduced, and this assurance adds to the importance of the projected "Entente Committee." The Government party discussed the matter in caucus this momihg.. A Post reporter was informed by a prominent member that entire accord was expressed with the proposal. This is the first occasion on which it had come before the members; the idea had emanated from the Government, and had not been pub forward as a party -discussed matter. LABOUR. AGREEABLE. The feeling of the Labour members in regard to the (Committee is favourable. The Labour section is to be represented on the Committee by Mr. Hmdmarsh. They were not consulted before the setting up of the Committee, and they have been given no information about ite functions or powers. ' One membes of the party said that Labour desired m every way to assist with matters of Imperial concern, or affecting the war, and it was from that aspect they re* garded the setting up of the Committee. Ao doubt a good deal of secret matter would be received from time to time by the Minister for Defence which it would not be advisable to discuss pub« licly in the House. By having the Committee, all (sections of the House ■ rould participate in the consideration o£ these affairs, and there would thus be healthy discussion upon them. OPPOSITION RETICENT. Members of the Liberal Party who were interviewed would express no opinion upon the subject. There is no hostility displayed towards the proposal, but it is apparent that' members of that eide of the House, including those who have been selected to serve on the Committee, are quite in the dark as to it* functions and ite powers. The members who have been selected from among their ranks were nominated by the Government] the party was Mot asked to recommend. There is little doubt that the subject, with its various contingent aspects, will be the chief topic for discussion at the Opposition Caucus tomorrow morning. There is every ihdication that the proposal will be a-ccepted by the Opposition, although, as one member said, the fact that the Government had set up a committee does not necessarily compel the members of it to attend. In a,ny case, it is held, the Government would not be relieved by the committee of responsibility for its actions in matters of policy. In all policy matters it would have to take full responsibility. Generally, '' however, the party is very reticent upon the subject. NO DEFINITE SCOPE YET Only a general order of reference has been mentioned, up to the present, for the projected committee. The Government lias not yet had an opportunity- to plan out the work, but the near future will see a definite shape for the proposal, which is evolving gradually. Mr. Allen will take the first opportunity to move the motion. The Government desires to have this question settled before the debate on the Address begins.