POINTS PROM THE DEBATE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 6, 8 January 1916, Page 5

POINTS PROM THE DEBATE

LONDON, 6th January. Mr. H. Samuel, Postmaster-General, speaking in the Compulsion Bill debate, said the fact that six millions had volunteered was the greatest vindication of democracy in history, but he must support the Bill against his convictions, because of the hard facts. Mr. Runciman had estimated that a million more, men could be spared from industrial life, therefore they ought to be sent to the front. ; ' Mr. J. Robertson said Mr. Asquith, in giving the pledge, spoke on behalf of the House of Commons, who had acquiesced, and therefore shared the responsibility. There was no reason to fear that it would result in universal conscription. Mr P. Alden did. not believe the Bill would raise the men necessary to decide the war. There was the possibility that it would alienate the support of a million munition workers, transport workers, and miners, upon whom the nation is dependent. Colonel Ward said that a third of the labour men were either in the trenches or preparing to go there, consequently it was impossible to say the Labour Conference represented the opinion of the majority of the trade unions. Mr. J. A. Campbell (Dublin University), speaking on Sir Edward Carson's ' behalf, protested that Ireland's exclusion was an injustice and a slur. The .Empire's difficulty was Ireland's opportunity. If the Nationalists could reconcile their political ambitions with the decision to throw, in their lot with their fellow-subjects in Britain, and consent to Ireland being included in the Bill, they would have done more for the realisation of their hopes and ideas than for the last twenty years. Mr. G. N. Barnes (Labour) said he intended to vote for the Bill, to redeem the- pledge, although he was aware that his constituency opposed it. He had just concluded a month's visit to the west front, and ho was of opinion that there would not have been such large casualties, if all the young men had done their duty. Mr A. J. Balfoiir (First Lord of the Admiralty) said that the debate bad disclosed an. unalterable determination to advance the interests of the Empire and of the Allies. He feared thai, a division would do harm within and without Britain, but impartial critics would realise that never had a. more united front been shown. He repudiated the suggestion that the Bill was the thin end of the wedge for conscription in the future. It was intended for tho present occasion only. Tlie exclusion of Ireland was not an insult. Ireland was outside Mr. Asquith's pledge. Every jnemb.Br...pf.-the. ..Government belie<\fed.-tag

. Bill was a military necessity. There was ! danger in the feature that we might be inclined to rely too much on the belief that we can call armies from the ground by a wave of the hand. Recent achievements might delude us with false security that a similar miracle will again be possible. The opponents of the Bill convey to our enemies and foreign Powers that we are a divided nation. ,