On Thursday week the House of Commons once more discussed
the recruiting difficulties, and Sir John Simon played his usual part oi showing how the tribunal.s mangled the letter and the spirit of. the Military Service Act. It is very easy for a man of Sir John Simon's great forensic ability to pick holes in the working of an Act under wholly unparalleled conditions. We cannot help wonder. ing whether it has ever occurred to him to ask himself the simple question : " Am I helping, my country to beat the Germans ? " After this exhibition of destructive cleverneis, the speech of Captain William Redmond was like a breath of fresh air. Nothing, he said, could be too good for our soldiers. The• harder the life, the jollier the men were. His message was : " Send us the reinforcements. Send all you can, and send them as soon as you can. After the war you can discuss whether you have beaten the Germans on the proper lines or not." This note of honesty, common-sense, and honour was hailed with delight in all parts of the House.
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