MR ASQUITH'S SPEECH.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 145, 21 June 1913, Page 5

MR ASQUITH'S SPEECH.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO THE

PRESS

APPRECIATION OF VISCOUNT ELIBANK.

'(Received June 21.' 0.10 a.m\> LONDON, June 20. liter denouncing ]fhe scandalous statements made by a section of the press, Mr Asq.uith gladly acknowledged tnat the great organs of the press, particularly those representing the Unionists, Tiad behaved throughout the Marconi question with .dignity., moderation, and restraint. Mr Asquith next enumerated clear rules for the guidance of Ministers and public servants on all pecuniary matters. Ho interposed a glowing personal appreciation of Viscount Elibank. He reviewed the facts -presented. He thought that he or .anyone had never heard franker or more manly utterances than those of Sir Rufus Isaacs and Mr Lloyd .-George. They had suffered for an «rror o£ judgment a. penalty almost, if noi quite, as heavy as any such terror had ever (incurred. _ Their honor, both private and public, was .absolutely unstaineQ. It would be unworthy of the House to pass a censorious motion on two Members. Mr Balfour strongly criticised -the two Ministers for their reticence .in allowing the facts to come out piecemeal. It was not a question dt Tumor or dishonesty, but it was surely a question of the very gravest -indiscretion. Mr Lloyd George had pleaded that he scarcely had time to attend to his private affairs and manage one of his investments, but •the buying of'speculative stock was •rot the way to obtain, leisure. He contended that the two Ministers should have frankly expressed their .borrow for an honest blunder. Finally, he argued that unless tire House recorded its ■ regret. at what had occurred it would 'be a disaster - ±o public life. He appealed to the "Prime :Miriisfer to, find some formula liiore consistent with the credit o£ the [House than the amendment, and suore likely to' maintain the purity of ,sne public service.