Mr. Wyndham, who moved the amendment standing in Mr. Balfoiv's
name, executed the usual Ministerial egg-dance, but added nothing of substance to the discussion. He was followed by Lord Hugh Cecil, who challenged Mr. Chamber- lain to speak out. It had been said that the motive of Mr. Black's Motion was one of hostility to the Government, but he cared nothing for that. "What does that matter to me. I care for my motive in voting upon it.. I care for its plain meaning." After thus happily refusing to adopt the Pro- tectionist policy of demanding certificates of origin, Lord Hugh insisted that the allegation that the Black Motion was a vote of censure was absurd. It was pretended that the Government would have to resign if that Motion were accepted. "Figure to yourselves the picture. The Prime Minister would have to request an audience of the King and say : 'Your Majesty, I am unable any longer to conduct the administration of the country because the House of Commons persists in welcoming declarations made by members of the Government.' I could not have thought that outside 'Alice's Adventures through the Looking-glass' such a proceeding would be possible."
Previous page
