Mr. Rurreiman did not raise the spirits of the House
when he rose to move the second reading of the Cotton Spinning Bill. Seldom can a Cabinet in charge of an important measure have been less enthusiastic about its provisions. His only argument for it was that Lan- cashire wanted it and therefore she must have it. Even on this he was improperly briefed and was put through a damaging cross-examination by the dissentient Lan- cashire Members on his assertion that the minority against the scheme was as small as the minority under any scheme would be. At one time it appeared as if Mr. Churchill would open fire on the Bill. He was muttering interjections and whispering comments to his neighbours and wandering in and out of the House, and iu fact making all his usual motions when a speech is in pre- paration. But he appeared impressed by a capable and well-informed speech from Mr. Crossley and it was soon clear that the attack had been called off. As it was, the Government fared badly in the Division lobby. * *
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