11 FEBRUARY 1911, Page 3

We much regret that the health of the Chancellor of

the Exchequer has prevented him from being present during the debate on the Address. He has been suffering since the General Election from an affection of the throat, and about a week before the opening of Parliament left for the South of Europe to recruit his strength. Reports have appeared in some papers to the effect that Mr. Lloyd George's illness is more serious than is generally supposed. We are glad to hear, however, that this is not the case, and that he will be able very shortly to return to England. The neces- sity of being absent from public affairs at such. a critical time is a misfortune with which we can all sympathise.