Mr. Clynes, who took Mr. MacDonald's place as leader of
the Opposition, said rather oddly that the Government really promised nothing and that the Speech did not even contemplate the fulfilment of promises previously made. He, of course, welcomed the Disarmament Conference and asked what practical example of dis- armament Great Britain would give. He compared the expenditure upon armaments with that upon education but unfortunately omitted the educational expenditure of the local authorities, thus making his comparison seemingly effective but practically false. He admitted that in the coal dispute national interests are para- Mount ' as the Kings. Speech had said ; but the miners' hours and wages nevertheless must not be tampered with. Finally he - complained that -the Food Council had no statutory powers, that the future of the Road Fund ivas uncertain and that Ministers had covered the Russian Government with -abuse.
- * - * -*
