On Monday the House of Commons again discussed the Ministry
of Munitions Bill. The debate was notable for the flue spirit in which the Labour Members as a whole pro- mised their support in producing ample munitions. Nothing could have been better, Mr. Houston, Unionist Member for West Toxteth, Liverpool, said that he felt so strongly on the failure of the late Government to produce a proper supply of munitions that he had come to the House in defiance of his doctor's orders. We cannot help remarking that he would have done better to obey his doctor. The truth, the whole truth, we want, but not speeches in a lachrymose and depress- ing tone. Theme give an entirely false impression abroad of the determination of the British people to win the war, and of their confidence that they will win it in spite of all delays or setbacks. The British people are braced by the truth even when the truth is ugly. It is easy for a speech, however, while saying only what may for the most part be literally justified, to mislead outsiders in the most unfortunate manner as to the temper of the nation. Such a speech, in our opinion, was Mr. Houston's.
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