28 JUNE 1913, Page 18

We contend that it is neither good for Ministers, nor

for Parliament, nor for the nation, for people to say, as they are now in danger of saying, " Nobody need trouble about an accusation if it was made in the House of Commons." In truth, privilege always has demoralized and always will de- moralize those who possess it. It has demoralized aristocracies ; it has demoralized bureaucracies and armies—witness the example of modern Germany ; and it will end by demoralizing the House of Commons if it is not abandoned. It should be the pride of a member of the House of Commons that though he has more duties he has no more privileges to protect him from wrongdoing than the ordinary citizen.