SATISFACTORY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 39, 21 June 1913, Page 5

SATISFACTORY.

MSNISTERS WHITEWASHED.

the dealings in marconis

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.!

London, J uno 20

In the House of Commons Mr Buckmaster’s amendment was withdrawn in favor of Mr Adlan’s, which was carried by 316 to 268, declaring that the House accepts the two Ministers’ expression of regret at the purchases of American Marconis, and that the fact that this was not mentioned in the October debate, and acquit them of action otherwise than in good faith, but reprobates the wholly false charges of corruption brought against Ministers.

After denouncing the scandalous| statements of a section of the press, I Mr Asquith gladly acknowledged that I the great organs of the press, particularly those representing the Unionists. , had behaved throughout the Marconi j enquiry with dignity, moderation and restraint. Mr Asquith next enumerated clear rules of guidance for Ministers and public servants in all pecuniary matters. He interposed a glowing personal appreciation of Lord Murray of Elibank, and reviewed the facts. At present ho did not think ho or anyone had ever heard of franker or manlier utterances than those of Sir Rufus Isaacs and Mr Lloyd George. They had suffered for an error of judgment, and the penalty was almost, if not quite, as heavy as any such error had ever incurred. Their honor, both private and public, was absolutely unstained. It would 1)0 unworthy to pass a censorious motion on the two Ministers.

Mr Balfour strongly criticised the tyvo Ministers for their reticence and for allowing facts to come out piecemeal. There was no question of honor or dishonesty, but surely the question was the very gravest indiscretion

Mr Bonar Law opposed Mr Adkins's amendment, but offered to accept the following: “The House having heard Sir Rufus Isaacs’ and Mr Lloyd George’ h statements, acquits them (here follows the last part l! Mr Adkins’s amendment), but regrets their transactions in America o Marconis, and their want of frankness in their communications to the House.” He disclaimed any vindictiveness, but the Ministers’ explanations were inadequate. They ought not to have touched Americaii- Marconis. The great public was sorry that enterprise arising out of the Titanic disaster

should have been utilised to-fill the pockets of men floating a company. Sir E. Grey said that Mr Bonar Law put the harshest construction on the transaction. The phrase “wr|pt of frankness” was capable of being construed as imputing a dishonorable motive. If so construed i? would entail the resignation of the t ro Ministers and the closing of .their political c areers. The House'onght, to pass no motion regardable as a vote of censure. The two Ministers had made no use of official information. Then expressions of * -•-ret. were ample and sufficient to cover t whole case, and ought to ho accepted frankly anc openly without qualification. (Ministerial cheers.) (Received 10.40 a.m.) London, June 20. Sir Edward Grey, after referring to the imputations of dishonor and corruption so freely bandied about the country, concluded by declaring that whatever the House did, it was unable to right all wrong to the Ministers concerned.

The majority of Lab mites voted for Mr Adkin’s motion but Messrs Jowett. Snowden, Thorne, S. Walsh, and O’Grady, and also the O’Brienites abstained from voting. Messrs. Mar tin, D. Mason, Munro and Ferguson voted for the minority. The amendment was afterwards put as a substantive motion, and-agreed to, the House not dividing. . ASQUITH AND BALFOUR.

(Received 10.40 a.m.) London, June 20

The Times considers that it was mainly owing to Mr Asquith’s and Mr Balfour’s fine speeches that the House of Commons emerged from a very critical ordeal with more credit than seemed at one time probable.