ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
(Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P.)
The Speaker (lapsing for the first time from Parliamentary etiquette at the sight of Sir George Reid ready to take his seat in the House). "Advance, Australia!"
House of Commons, Monday, January 10th.—In spite of sharp rebuke administered by Speaker last week the Pertinacious Pringle to the fore again—to be precise, to the Forward. This the name of weekly paper that is published in Clyde district, and has of late emerged from obscurity by "deliberately inciting workers," as Lloyd George said, "not to carry out Act of Parliament passed in order to promote the output of munitions." On motion for adjournment Pringle perceived opportunity of attacking Minister of Munitions. Accused him of suppressing the sheet because it had reported proceedings at meetings attended by him in Glasgow, at which his speech was interrupted by noisy minority. This course of procedure imitated by Pringle when Lloyd George, replying, quoted passages in the paper making violent attack on the King and systematic attempts to stem flood of recruiting.
"These things," said the Minister, in passage loudly cheered, "meant life or death to our men in the field. They are not suitable matters for Parliamentary sport. We are dealing in tragedies. I am doing my best to save the men at the Front. I am entitled to be helped, not to be harried."
Outhwaite, coming to assistance of Pringle, otherwise prangling all forlorn, jumped upon by Captain Campbell.
"If I had the Hon. Member in my battalion at the Front," he said, "he would be strung up by the thumbs before he had been there half-an-hour."
This scarcely Parliamentary; but it passed the Chair, leaving the gallant Captain, who modestly wears well-won ribbon of D.S.O., time to adjure the House to "get on with the War."
Business done.—In House barely half full Motion carried calling upon Government to enter into consultation with the Overseas Dominions in order to bring economic strength of Empire into co-operation with our Allies in a policy directed against the enemy.
Tuesday.—Said with truth that a speech in the House of Commons, however forcible and eloquent, rarely influences a vote. Some orators, however, have gift of stirring the soul to emotions that carry a man to actions beyond range of conventionality. Such an one is the Right Hon. Thomas Lough, commonly and affectionately known through several Parliaments as "Tommy." One of small faction of Liberals who have not withdrawn opposition to Military Service Bill. Declaiming against it just now on motion for Second Reading, he described it as a sham.
"It is not true," he said, "that young unmarried men have held back. On the contrary they have come forward nobly and in great numbers."
Vindication of a maligned class so affected somebody seated in the Strangers' Gallery that he loudly clapped his hands. This a decided breach of order. The Assyrians (in form of Gallery attendants) came down upon him like a wolf on the fold. Ordered him to withdraw. He explained that he was so entirely at one with argument of the Hon. Member for West Islington that he preferred to remain to listen to continuance of his speech. Assyrians insistent on his immediate departure. Martial spirit of young unmarried man roused. Refused to budge. Whereupon the Assyrians, lifting him out of the seat, carried him forth vi et armis—free translation, by legs and arms.
From his seat below the Gangway Mr. Flavin watched procedure with wistful eyes. Remembered how towards break of day dawning on an all-night sitting held towards the close of last century he also was carried forth shoulder high, not by officers of the House in nice white shirt fronts, with glittering badges hung round their necks, but by the common or street policeman helmeted and belted. As he journeyed he sang, "God save Ireland," his compatriots, more or less attuned, joining in the chorus.
Recognition of historical incident sharply marks contrast in attitude of Irish Members then and now. Still fighting for Home Rule they stopped short of no outrage upon order, systematically and successfully obstructing public business. Military Service Bill offers enticing opportunities for exercise of old tactics. They might, if they pleased, keep House sitting for weeks fighting Bill in Committee line by line, word by word, as was their custom of an afternoon, and half-way through the night, in days of old. Other times other manners. Interposing early in debate John Redmond announced that his party, having made their protest against Bill in Division Lobby on First Reading, would withdraw from further opposition.
Business done—Second Reading of Military Service Bill moved.
Wednesday.—Sir George Reid, having completed term of service as High Commissioner of Australia, took his seat as Member for St. George's, Hanover Square. Carefully dismounting at Bar from his native steed he was introduced by Bonar Law, Unionist Colonial Secretary, and Harcourt, Colonial Secretary in late Liberal Government. This concatenation of circumstance, testifying to universal esteem and exceptional personal popularity, unique in Parliamentary records.
New-comer will serve in double capacity. Nominally Member for St. George's, he will also be Member for Australia, an innovation that will probably have wider scope and formal recognition when the Overseas Dominions have completed their splendid work of helping the Mother Country to bring the War to triumphant conclusion.
George Reid's career on a new stage will be watched with keen interest in his two antipodal homes. Since, six years ago, he came to London, he has acquired the reputation of being one of the best after-dinner speakers of the day. How will the qualities that ensure success in that direction serve him at Westminster? Macaulay truly said, "The House of Commons is the most peculiar audience in the world. A place in which I would not promise success to any man."
The Member for Sark puts his money (or such portion as is left after paying War taxes) on the Member for St. George's, Hanover Square-cum-Australia.
Debate on Second Reading of Military Service Bill resumed. Best thing said during two days' talk was an incidental remark of Birrell's. Relating history of Bill in Cabinet he said he had felt it his duty to say something about Ireland.
"What I said," he added, "is of course known only to those of my colleagues who were sitting round the table and to such representatives of the London Press as were sitting underneath it."
This hint explains mystery clouding the fact that whilst the secrets of Cabinet Councils are held to be inviolable there are morning papers able habitually to give detailed information of what passes behind the locked and barred doors.
Business done.—Second Reading of Military Service Bill carried by 431 votes against 39.
Thursday.—After advancing three minor Government Bills a stage, House adjourned at 5.30.
Guest (who has been asked to a theatre dinner-party). "I say, I thought—"
Host. "Oh, don't bother about your clothes, old chap. People will only think you're a bit old-fashioned."