MR ASQUITH'S SPEECH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16685, 4 May 1916, Page 5

MR ASQUITH'S SPEECH.

APPEAL FOR UNITY. CABINET AND THE PEOPLE* LONDON, May 2. (Received May 3, at 10.30 p.m.) In the House of Commons Mr Asquith said that as the Government's proposals last week had not met with general consent, it was proposed to deal with the whole recruiting problem in a single measure, which would be introduced tomorrow. The Empire's total naval and military effort since the beginning of the war exceeded 5,000,000 men. The existing machinery would not provide quickly enough the 200,000 married men who were re. quired to keep up the strength of the army and provide for contingencies during the summer and autumn cam= paign. It was the country's plain duty to provide these men, and the new Biil would provide for general immediate compulsion. There was no reason to believe that general immediate com= pulsion would provide much larger numbers, but there would be an immense advantage in abolishing the piecemeal treatment. The speeches of last week, especially those ol the Labour members, showed a desire to settle the whole controversy once for all. Mr Asquith appealed fir unity in the interests of the country, and the effect it would have upon the Allies and the dominions. His answer to the criticisms of the Government's alleged indecision, de= lay, and halMseartedness was that even thongh there had been perhaps blunders in policy and strategy, the British contribution to the common cause was growing steadily, and was better directed than ever before. The Allies' naval and military situation, as a whole, was never so good as 'io-day. The Asquith Government could treat the criticisms with indifference while it had the confidence of the people. If it had not that confidence, let the House say so, and find more efficient men. They wonld not find more zealous vs more loyal men than they had, but it must be recognised that these men could not carry the heaviest burden ever laid upon the shoulders of British statesmen unless they had the sympathy and trust of their fellowcount ijmea.