Colonel John Ward, the former secretary of the Navvies' Union,
delivered an impassioned speech in support of com- pulsion which made a deep impression on the House. Mr. G. N. Barnes also sturdily defended the Bill, and it was evident that the Labour vote would by no means sheepishly follow the instructions of the Congress of Labour delegates. • Many Labour Members, indeed, had temporarily solved their perplexities by absenting themselves from the House. Mr. Balfour confessed that he was an old opponent of general conscription, and he was still able to express his admiration for the working of the voluntary principle. The debate had proved our national unity. There was no dissension either in the House or in the country -As to the prosecution of the war. But if a vote were taken on .40 question of introducing the Bill, would not our enemies, and even our friends, conclude that we were divided ? The Bill was a small one ; the occasion for it was unprecedented. The House had before it really, not a question of principle, but only one of expediency.
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