A MOMENTOUS DISCUSSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16591, 14 January 1916, Page 5

A MOMENTOUS DISCUSSION.

BILL READ A SECOND TIME, AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY. LONDON, January 12. (Received Jan. 13, at 10.5 p.m.) In the House of Commons, during the discussion on the Compulsion Bill, Sir John Simon said they had to consider whether national unity was en= dangered. There was nothing in Lord Derby's report to justify the assertion J .i, Asquith's pledge should be fulfilled. It ought to be possible to find the persons who had not attested. They had to consider how far the Bill approached industrial compulsion. He would resist the Bill, because the Government was strengthening the same system which had made Germany a menace to the world. Mr Asquith, in replying, said lie agreed that the main object on which all were concentrating was to strike down Germany, but Sir John Simon, in some parts of his speech, appeared to be far removed from the actualities of the situation, and to have lost all sense of perspective. Mr Asquith declared that there was no fear of gene, ral conscription. The Bill was going to be carried in the hope of maintain* ing and preserving the voluntary gystem. If he had not given his pledge, that system would have been dead. He spoke for the whole Government when he said that unless the Bill was passed they would not obtain the men required; they would be unable to play their part in the war, and could not fulfil their obligations to their allies. There was not the slightest intention iO use the measure againrft industrialism. He hoped the industrial workers would accept his assurance when considering the safeguards to make any abuse on the part of employers impossible. When the Bill camc into operation, if the holders back came forward of their own volition and placed them, selves at the service of the State, it would give Biitain a new asset of incalculable value. (Received Jan. 13, at 10.15 p.m.) After Mr Asquith's pledge the debate waned Mr Pringlc announced that he and his frienjls withdrew their opposition. Mr Henderson (Labour) wound tip the debate. He denied that the Bill contained an insidious menace to industrial freedom. He appealed to Labonr members to join the House in sending a message to their fellow workmen in France and Belgium that the hour of delivery was near.—(Loud tbeers, Mr Asquith patting Mr Hendam's back.) I

The motion for the second reading I was carried, the amendment for its rejection being negatived by 431 votes l to 39. ( The announcement of the result of the division was received with ap- ' planse. The minority included Sir John Simon (Literal), Mr T. Burns (Labour), Mr Thomas (Labour), Mr Outhwaite (Liberal), Mr F. W. Jowett (Labour), Mr C. P. Trevelyan (Liberal), and Sir W. P. Byles | (Liberal). | LABOUR AND COMPULSION. ME ELLIS GRIFFITHS'S IRONY. LONDON, January 13. (Received Jan. 13, at 11.50 p.m.) ' During the debate on the Compulsion Bill in the House of Commons, Mr Ellis Griffiths said the opposition came from Nationalists and Labourites. He added ironically that compulsion for a man to join a trade union was a splendid example of liberty, but to compel a man to join the army was treason. Mr Dillon said he regarded l the compulsion campaign as a conspiracy to drive Mr Asquith, Lord Kitchener, and Sir Edward Grey out. CONFERENCE WITH LABOUR LEADERS. LONDON, January 13. (Received Jan. 13, at 11.50 p.m.) Mr Asquith privately conferred with the Labour leaders, including Messrs Henderson, Roberts, and Brace, upon compulsion. — i