Suggestion made that Government should resign; Mr. G. only smiled.
Spiteful little thing Rentoul said just now. Supporting amendment to Employers' Liability Bill he remarked "Gentlemen who sit on this side of the House are in favour of the amendment; gentlemen who sit on the other side of the House equally approve it; whilst Sir Albert Rollit, who sits on every side of the House, does not object to it."
Business done.—Employers' Liability Bill reported; Government defeated; got into Committee on Parish Councils Bill.
Friday.—Rather painful scene to-night between Sydney Buxton and Sage of Queen Anne's Gate. Sage, ever thirsting for knowledge, wanted to know much about Matabeleland. Drafted a long string of questions addressed to Under Secretary for Colonies.
"Unfounded assumptions," Buxton, in the pride of office, characterised these simple interrogatories. The Sage, insatiable for information, desires to have the unfounded assumptions particularised. Buxton referred Members to the question.
"But why," asked the Sage, with tremble and pathos in his voice, "did you call them unfounded assumptions?"
Affected by this spectacle of genuine emotion, Buxton proposed to substitute for the obnoxious word milder form "unproved."
"Yes," said the Sage, sticking to his point; "but you said unfounded." No use Buxton attempting to deny this; lapsed into embarrassed silence; probably will be more careful in future.
Business done.—Very little of Parish Councils Bill.