Punch/Volume 147/Issue 3819/Essence of Parliament
(Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P.)
House of Commons, Wednesday, Sept. 9.—Parliament met again after brief recess. Compared with recent rushes at critical epochs, attendance scanty. Among absentees the Speaker, who has well earned the holiday deferred by exigencies of war.
Premier in place at Question time. Did not stop long. Expected to make statement on position and prospects of Home Rule and Welsh Church Bills, As his magnificent speech at Guildhall testified afresh, when occasion arises he can say the right thing in perfect phrase. Constitutionally is disinclined to talk.
No absolute need to make preliminary statement. Everyone knows these matters are settled; nor are details of settlement a secret. Prorogation will be decreed early next week, and, in accordance with provisions of Parliament Act, Home Rule Bill and Welsh Church Disestablishment Bill will be added to Statute Book. But an interval will elapse before they become operative, an opportunity to be used for final effort to arrive at compromise between conflicting parties.
Proceedings, in the main formal, varied by reading of statement from Viceroy describing how chiefs and people of India are each all one in enthusiastic loyalty in the hour of England's need, and how lavish are their offers of help. Reading of Eastern story received with outbursts of cheering.
"No one to say a good word for the Scourge of Louvain. But let us give the ———, I mean the Kaiser, his due. At a stroke he effected the long-time impossible feat of welding Ireland into a loyal entity enthusiastically ready to draw the sword in aid of its long-estranged Sister across the Channel. Less than a year ago India was in state of ominous unrest that found partial expression in attempt on life of Viceroy. The Kaiser, secretly plotting treacherous design on friend and neighbour accustomed to lavish hospitality upon him, took note of these things. Confidently counted them in when reckoning up his game, and arranging time and opportunity for opening it. And lo! when he stands unmasked, he finds among the trustiest wings of the Empire's Army those supplied by India and Ireland."
The Rt. Hon. John Burns fails to recognise his portrait as painted by a German Press Agency artist.
Thus the Member for Sark mused on his way to the Club to read the latest telegrams from the seat of war.
Business done.—Various emergency Bills advanced a stage.
Thursday.—Five weeks ago, when Declaration of War with Germany boomed across Europe, Premier asked the Commons to sanction increase of Army by half-a-million men. Reply enthusiastically affirmative. To-day comes down again and, like a young person who shall here be nameless, "asks for more."
National response to recruitment of first batch most gratifying. Save 60,000 men the half-million already enrolled. At present rate of progress another couple of days or so will see number completed. Meanwhile Premier asks for another half-million.
These forthcoming, and in present mood of nation there is no doubt on subject, "We shall be in a position," he added, "to put something like 1,200,000 men in the field," a sight that would make Wellington, not to mention Marlborough, stare.
With that patriotic zeal that has marked attitude of Opposition since war began Bonar Law warmly supported proposal. Vote agreed to without debate or division.
Business done.— Having voted additional half-million men for Army, House adjourned till Monday.