There was another debate in the House of Commons ou
Friday week on the conduct of the police on February 8th, raised by Professor Stuart, who wished to transfer the police to local authorities ; but it came to nothing. The Home Secretary proved conclusively that he had done all he could do without undue interference with the Chief Commissioner of Police, that there was ample force at hand, and that this force was not employed. He showed also that he had selected the best men available to assist himself in his inquiry, and main- tained that he himself, as Home Secretary, must be trusted to examine and propose the needful reforms. As the House, though inclined to have a fling at Mr. Childers if it could, could not refute his statements, the debate dropped away into a conversation on points of detail, varied by official endeavours to assure the police as a force that nobody blamed them. In the end, Mr. Childers was left to take his own course, which, as he is the responsible Minister, was the only possible conclusion. The original subject of debate, the right of municipalities to police control, was almost forgotten in the discussion.
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