The next stage in the debate was a discussion on
Sir John Simon's amendment, which, as the Prime Minister pointed out, cut at the very base of the Bill. Its ostensible object was to con- sider the grounds of exemption before applying the automatic enlistment proposed by the Bill and not after. The result would, of course, be endless delay. Sir John Simon only contrived to take fifty-three Members into the lobby with him in favour of the proposal. The debate on the Simon amendment was memorable for a maiden speech by Sir George Reid. After taking exception to the criticism of Lord Kitchener, he pointed with justifiable pride to the way in which Australia and New Zealand led the Empire in this matter. "They were all eompulsionists in the reckless, ruthless democracy of Australia."
When the flames of destruction were approaching the fabric of our liberties, let us save our house first and discuss our domestic rearrangements afterwards." Mr. Asquith's demolition of Sir J. iSinion's proposal was a masterly piece of Parliamentary dialectic.
Previous page
