DARDANELLES AND MESOPOTAMIA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14050, 21 July 1916, Page 3

DARDANELLES AND MESOPOTAMIA.

GO^TSRNMENT SET UP COMMISSIONS OF ENQUIRY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received July 21, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, July 20. The House of Commons was crowd-ed for the debate on Sir Edward Carson's motion 'for a select committee, to enquire into tho Dardanelles ajid/Mesopotomia campaigns. y * Mr . Asquith unexpectedly announced the Government's intention to appoint with power to sifc 1 , m secret and enquire into bpth matters, Australia being- represented oil the' Daax-aneHes Commission. ' i ! Mr. Asquith said he recognised that the widespread legitimate anxiety m regard to the Dardanelles, and Mesopotamia could not be allayed by general assurances of an after-the-\tar enquiry. Owing to the present critical phase of the military operations, the Government deprecated a debate which would give the world the impression that we were • divided amongst ourselves. They did not desire; to conceal past shortcomings or to screen those responsible. There were manifest objections to a select committee which would lay a great burden on departmental officers. Moreover th© generals, admirals, and other officers required to give evidence were already dispersed over a .wide field, and it was impossible to recall them to London. The Government, therefore, proposed two Commissions, consisting of members of the Houses of Commons and Lords, and, if necessary, an outside member.