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Few of those who heard it will ever forget Ronald Gartland speech on the motion for the adjournment on August znd, 1939. Mr Chamberlain had suggested that the House should adjourn for the summer holidays until October 3rd. There were many members w felt that the situation in Europe did not warrant so protracted a holiday. Mr. Chamberlain was adamant. He went so far as to say that he would deMand a vote of confidence. " The question is," he said in a tone of much asperity, "whether you trust the Govern ment or distrust the Government." The House became angry and perplexed. Few members wished to challenge, still less to over throw, the Chamberlain administration at so critical a period. Yet they much resented the fact that their consciousness of crisis and their desire to resume their session at an early date should have been interpreted as a personal attack upon the existing front bench. Ronald Gartland had left the Chamber, and some of his friend' went to find him. He ran gaily along the corridor, and in a few minutes, tense and impassioned, he was on his feet. His speech via totally unprepared, and when one reads it in cold print the flam and fire are lost. He was interrupted by one of the senior Members for Birmingham, who „shook his white locks at him in sorrowing reproof. Cartland had committed the greatest of all heresies ; representing a division of Birmingham he had dared not only 10, challenge the party whips but to affront the sacred name °I
devoted and brave beyond compare. mentor.
Chamberlain itself. Ronald Gartland turned upon his aged " Within a month," he said, " we may be going to fight." Ile paused for an instant, vibrant with indignation. "And we may bf, going to die," he added. The House gasped in stupor. We shall for ever remember him as he was at that moment : defiant, fa
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