CONCLUSION OF THE DEBATE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13979, 8 January 1916, Page 5

CONCLUSION OF THE DEBATE.

(Received Jan. 7, 8.40 p.m.)

London, Jan. 6,

Mr. Herbert Samuel said the fact that six million men had volunteered was the greatest vindication of demb- ... cracy in history, but he must support the Bill against his convictions because of hard facts. Mr. Runciman had estimated that a million more men were spareable from industrial life, and therefore they ought to be sent. Mr. J. M. Robertson said Mr. As- "■ quith, in giving'his pledge, spoke on behalf of the House of Commons, who acquiesced. Therefore they shared the responsibility. There was no reason to fear that the Bill would -result, in universal conscription. Mr. Percy Alden said he did not believe the Bill would raise the men necessary to decide the war, and there was a possibility that it would alienate the support of a million munition «md transport workers and nanera upon whom the nation was dependent. Colonel Ward said a third of the labour men were either in the trenches or preparing to go there, and r t was consequently impossible to say that the Labour Conference represented the opinion of the- majority of ■ the ■ trade ■ unions. Mr. J. H. Campbell, speaking on Sir Edward Carson's behalf, protested that Ireland's exclusion was an injustice and a slur. The Empire's difficulty was Ireland's opportunity. If the Nationalists could have reconciled their political ambitions with the decision to throw in their lot with their fellow subjects in Britain by consenting to Ireland's inclusion in the Bill, they would have done more for ih& realisation of their hopes and ideals than they had done in the last twenty years. Mr. G. N. Barnes said he intended to vote for the Bill to redeem Mr. Asquiih's pledge, although he was aware that his constituency opposed it. He had just concluded a month's visit to the West front. There would not have been such large casualties if all the young men had done their duty. Mr. Balfour said the debate had disclosed an unalterable determination to advance the interests of the Empire and the Allies. He feared the division would, do harm ;.within and without. Britain, but impartial critics would realise that never had a more united front been shown. He repudiated the suggestion that'the Billow as-the thin ■edge of the wedge towards future conscription. It was intended for the present occasion only. The exclusion of Ireland was not an insult, as Ireland j ■was outside Mr Aequith'B pledge, j Every member of the Government; believed the Bill was a military necessity. There was a danger that in the future they might be inclined to rely too much upon the belief that they could call armies ont of the ground by a wave of a wand .The recent achievements might delude us into a false sense of security that a similar miracle would again be possible. The opponents cf the Bill would convey to our enemies and foreign Powers tho idea that we wore a divided nation.