THE MESOPOTAMIA MUDDLE

North Otago Times, 20 July 1917, Page 6

THE MESOPOTAMIA MUDDLE

GOVERNMENT NOT PROCEEDING WITH ENQUIRY.. ) ' VISCOUNT lIARDINGE'S RESIGN A-.. TION REFUSED.: (Australian and N.Z. Gable Association) Received July ID; 5.110 p.m.. ' LONDON; July IS. In the-House of Commons, r Mr Bonar Laiv said the Government was not proeeeiling further with the inquiry into the Mesopotamia Report, (The Army Council would deal with tho soldiers in the ordinary way. ' • ' .Viscount Hnrtlingo had offered three , times .to resign, hut the'offers had been refused, Received July If), 8.40 p.m. ■' LONDON, July 18. . Mr Bonar Linv said the Government ■.was influenced in its decision- regarding the 'Mesopotamia Report by the undesirability of distracting-the attention of the Legislature at this critical time from the prosecution of Hie war, On the representations of the Secretary of State for Foreign -Affairs (the lion. A, J, Balfour) the. Government decided that it would be detrimental to deprive the foreign -Office of Viscount llar- . dingo's services, 'Mr John Dillpn (Nationalist) obtained leave-to move the adjournment of the .House in order to discuss the Government's refusal to accept ihe resignation of Viscount Tlardiuge, * MR DILLON'S ATTACK ON VISCOUNT HAEDINGE, SPIRITED REPLY BY MR BALFOUR. (Australian and N. 55. Cable Association) 'Received July 19, lO p.m. • LONDON, .luly'lS, Mr Dillon moved the adjournment, calling' attention to the refusal of the Government to accept Viscount liardingo's resignation. The motion involved the great principle of Ministerial responsibility, and was the only means which the House of Commons had of exercising an iniluence over the Government. The Hon. Mr Chamberlain hail resigned, although he was not censured, yet- Viscount Jfardinge, who ''was responsible to an infinitely greater degree, was allowed to remain. ■ All should be equally treated. Viscount Tlnrdinge, Jiecanse lie stood, well in society, and was supported by powerful influences, was allowed to ride off in honour, He (Mr Dillon) said lie had learned'that, the Dardanelles Report, would be very uuplefisaiit. Something had yet to be learned of the Gaza operations. The Hon, Mr Balfour heatedly ' defended Viscount' Hanlinge, and hinted that he would resign if the House disagreed with his advice to the Goveni- - meat, MR DILLON'S MOTION DEFEATED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) Received July 20, at 12.5 a.m. LONDON, July 19. Ii) the House of Commons the motion for the adjournment ivas defeated by 170 votes to XL