16 FEBRUARY 1924, Page 2

In the continued debate, on Wednesday, Mr. Baldwin was in

very happy form, and chaffed Mr. MacDonald on the vast discrepancy between good intentions and hard realities. The surprise of the debate came from Mr. Asquith, who evidently took a very serious view of the concessions made to the Poplar Guardians :— " I wish to say in the plainest and most unequivocal, terms that, unless the Government can see their way to reconsider the action which has been taken, I do not think there is the least chance of that administrative act receiving the countenance or approval of the House of Commons."

We refer later to the whole question of Poplarism.