The Labour Party and the dissentient Liberals attacked the new
Military Service Bill on its second reading in the House of Commons on Thursday week. Captain Guest stated plainly the reasons which have impelled the Government to ask authority to compel men, if necessary, to serve in the Army of Occupation for another year. We need not recapitulate any other than the main reason : that we must be in a position to use force, if we are compelled to use force, to secure the fruits of victory. Mr. Adamson apparently believes that the Government desire " to pour out the blood of our 801:18 " to establish forms of government desired by certain people in Russia or Germany. He twitted Ministers about their Election pledgee. Mr. Holmes alleged that voluntary enlistment would suffice. Mr. Alexander Shaw talked about a breach of faith on the part of the Govern- ment. Mr. Churchill asked the House to face the facts. The Government wanted a Voluntary Army, and were creating one, while attempting to dissuade other States from Conscription. Without this Bill our Army would fly into fragments on Peace Day. The Bill was read a second time by 304 votes to 71.
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