2 DECEMBER 1911, Page 17

Mr. Lloyd George was naturally furious, but his answer was

the merest and meanest he quoqv,e. The Opposition had used the closure as drastically as he had. He went on to twit the Opposition with having taken up forty or fifty days in discussing a Bill which was supposed to be non-contentions. When it was pointed out that it was merely the principle underlying the Bill that had been accepted, and in no sense the way in which the principle was carried out, the Chancellor dared his opponents to vote against the Third Reading. He was countered with shouts of " Wait and see !" He would do so, was the reply, and the Opposition could wait and see what would happen afterwards if they voted for the rejection of the measure. When the guillotine began to fall the members of the Opposition very properly refused to have any part or share in a proceeding so discreditable and left the House in a body. It was useless to remain in a deliberative Assembly which had refused to deliberate.