In the House of Commons on Thursday, May 29th, the
Government were once more saved by Liberal votes. The division on the unemployment question had been expected to be the most critical so far in the history of the Government, but the better part of valour inspired the Liberals, and there was a ludicrous contrast between their denunciatory words in the debate and their docile rally to the Government side in the lobbies. Perhaps it is not unfair to say that the Unionists were relieved at being saved from the logic of their own motion of censure. Nobody wants a General Election, although a great many people regard one as inevitable within a short time. Mr. Asquith's speech was the most important in the debate, as the Liberals, of course, had it in their power to kill the Government. The result of the Liberal secret conferences on tactics was seen in Mr. Asquith's evident determination to speak furiously but play for safety. He called Mr• Shaw's speech last week " most unsatisfying, jejune and inadequate," but—" I am prepared to give the Govern- ment a little more time." The Government had a majority of 48-300 votes against 252.
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