On the motion for the adjournment on Wednesday Mr. Swift
MacNeill called attention to the fact that the House allowed treaties and matters of the highest international obligation to be taken out of its hands. He was determined to break down that system. Sir Edward Grey, in reply, dealt very temper- ately and wisely with Mr. MacNeill's allegations. As to the question of secrecy, he could only say that there was a great deal in foreign affairs which could not be disclosed. " Secrecy there must be up to a certain point, because in foreign affairs we are dealing in our relations with other countries with
secrets which do not belong specially to ourselves, but which we share with one or more Great Powers. Therefore, especially at the earlier stages of negotiations, it was im- possible to take the House of Commons publicly into the con- fidence of the Government." We cannot on the present occasion do more than note this one point, but Sir Edward Grey's whole speech deserves careful attention. We do not agree with Sir Edward Grey, however, that " devolution is the remedy." We look with horror indeed on the notion of Parliament finding work for its idle hands in perpetual debates on our foreign relations.
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