ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
(Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P.)
House of Commons, Monday, February 16.—Worthington Evans charmed House to-day by one of those little delicacies of feeling and taste favoured in the assembly. Masterman has met the reward of conspicuous success at the Treasury by promotion to Cabinet rank. In his absence his place temporarily taken at Question Time by Wedgwood Benn, who, while careful to deprecate personal responsibility for promise to give 9d. for 4d., displayed remarkable intimacy with intricacies of the Insurance Act. Worthington Evans, having as usual, after the leisure of a week-end, provided himself with collection of conundrums based on its working, knew that when he came down to-day he would find Masterman's seat empty.
Marked the occasion by presenting himself in mourning array—not the profoundest black such as Hamlet upon occasion affected, but a prevalence of decorous colour provided in what is known in drapers' shops as "The Mitigated Affliction Department." An uncompromising black tie was a determining note in his attire, testifying to sincere regret at parting from a Minister whom for three Sessions he has, so to speak, riddled with conundrums.
Insurance Act has suddenly again sprung into prominence. By odd accident revival is coincident with couple of by-elections going forward in Metropolis. Joynson-Hicks much struck by circumstance that announcement of scheme under the Act dealing with casual labour at the docks is promulgated just now, when election is proceeding in a constituency where there happen to be many docks and a multitude of casual labourers who have votes.
Bonner Law, when he comes to think of it, equally surprised. Would the Chancellor of the Exchequer oblige by explaining? As for Lord Bob Cecil, he is so perturbed that he momentarily forgets he has leading question to address to Premier designed to extract secret intention with respect to amending Home Rule Bill.
Lloyd George, always ready to oblige, explains that scheme in question was prepared last Autumn, had frequently been referred to by Masterman whilst still at the Treasury.
"I am sure," he added, with twinkle in his eye, "we owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Joynson-Hicks for calling further attention to the matter at this particular moment."
Opposition not to be put off by badinage. Discover in apparently innocent accident evidence of that deep-seated tendency to import bribery and corruption into by-elections of which one of the Whips was this afternoon made a terrible example.
Above and below Gangway Members popped up desiring to put further questions. Too much even for patience of Speaker. Suggested matter had better be raised upon debate.
"Why, cert'nly," said Joynson-Hicks.
Lord Robert Cecil is "perturbed."
Accordingly, when at eleven o'clock debate on Address automatically stood adjourned, and Members were anxious to get home, the Jocund Joynson turned up, and we had it all over again for space of half-an-hour.
Business done.—Ormsby-Gore moved amendment expressing regret that, in spite of all they had heard to its detriment in Lords and Commons, Government intend to proceed with Welsh Church Disestablishment Bill. On division amendment negatived by 279 votes against 217. Reduction of normal Ministerial majority hailed with delight on Opposition benches.
House of Lords, Tuesday.—"What's this?" Sark asked, looking in at half-past four and finding House crowded with throng of strangers blocking approaches. "Is it the Land or the Church?"
"Neither," said Marchamley; "it's Marconi."
"Ah," said Sark, as if that explained everything.
On paper stood motion in name of Ampthill for appointment of Select Committee to enquire into relation of Lord Murray with Marconi business. The name, more blessed than Mesopotamia, stirred glad Opposition to profoundest depths. Thought it over and done with; and here it was again, blooming like the aloe, though after briefer interval. Excitement broke through ordinarily ice-bound calm of the House.
Opposition benches crowded to fullest capacity. Privy Councillors and sons of Peers jostled each other on steps of Throne. Peeresses flocked down by the score. Curious effect of latest fashion in headgear displayed in side galleries. Nearly every bonnet—or were they hats?—was loftily plumed with black feathers, ominously familiar on hearses. It seemed as if the ladies had come to bury Cæsar (of Elibank), not to praise or even condemn him.
Murray, arriving early, passed the Front Bench, where as ex-Minister he had a right to sit. Found a place immediately behind in friendly contiguity to former colleagues, Lord Crewe and Lord Morley. On stroke of half-past four he rose and, producing sheaf of manuscript, began to read. In low voice, with slow intonation, he turned over page after page, each scored with acknowledgment of contrition and regret for mistakes made. He pleaded that "my error, such as it was, was an error of judgment, not of intention." As to purchase of American Marconi shares on behalf of the Liberal Party, "I have," he said, "myself assumed the burden by taking over these shares at the price paid for them at the date of purchase, and, as the House will appreciate, at very considerable personal loss."
Throughout ten minutes he was on his legs Murray, in unconscious sympathy with the hearse plumes that nodded over him from the side gallery at his back, spoke in funereal note. In the Commons so frank a confession, so ample an apology, would have been accepted with burst of general cheering. Shrewd Members know that an assured method of gaining temporary popularity is to commit a breach of order and take early opportunity of withdrawing anything offensive that may have been said, apologising for anything unseemly that may have been done. When, for example, Ronald M'Neill apologised for having chucked at the head of the First Lord of the Admiralty a book containing rules for preservation of order in debate, he was almost rapturously cheered.
Chilliness of the graveyard froze round Murray as he read carefully prepared statement. When he sat down, faint murmur of applause rose from scanty muster on Liberal side. No sound, whether of approval or disapproval, broke the stillness of the serried benches opposite.
Effect contagious. Lansdowne almost inaudible. Crewe quite so. Strangers at back of gallery, hearing no voice and seeing the Noble Lord standing at the table nervously wringing his hands and twiddling his fingers, thought he was conversing with the Leader of the Opposition by means of the deaf and dumb alphabet.
Ampthill above these evidences of human weakness. Lansdowne in characteristically chivalrous manner suggested that motion for Committee should be withdrawn, affording opportunity to Noble Lords to consider Murray's statement and the best course to be taken upon it. Ampthill not allured by such considerations. As he shrewdly remarked, if he consented to withdraw his motion it could not be revived. All he would consent to was not to insist upon proceeding with business at to-day's sitting. Stipulated that his opportunity should not be hampered by "unavoidable delay."
On this understanding House adjourned, hoarse plumes in side galleries forlornly nodding themselves out.
Business done.—Lloyd George at bay in the Commons. His famous Budget attacked afresh on motion of Amendment to Address. Ananias and Sapphira personally mentioned in course of debate. Amendment negatived by 301 votes against 213.
Thursday.—Upon inquiry and reflection Lansdowne discovered that in matter of proposed Marconi Committee Ampthill is in fuller accord with opinion of majority on his side of House than himself. Accordingly, adopts Ampthill's motion and moves it. Crewe offering no opposition, Committee appointed without division.
In Commons, just after 11 o'clock, news came of defeat of Masterman in Bethnal Green. Turns out there was more in Worthington Evans's assumption of "the inky cloak, good mother" than on Monday met the eye. Boisterous scene of exultation in Unionist camp, jubilant cries of "Resign, Resign." "Resign!" growled Sark. "Why should Wilson resign a seat just won? It is true it was in a three-cornered fight, and by a majority of twenty-four he represents minority of electors. But the seat is his, and of course he'll keep it."
Curious how obtuse Sark can be upon occasion.
Business done.—Debate on Address agreed to in Commons. Forthwith set to on Estimates. Work cut out till 31st March. After that Home Rule and the Deluge.
