If men of such standing would say that they would
have done so, then of course, whether rightly or wrongly, we must alter our whole standard of Ministerial delicacy and discretion in pecuniary matters, and accept as inevitable the lower plane of action. If, however, they would not say that they would have acted exactly as their colleagues acted (as of course they would not), then the kind of verbal support which Mr. Asquith and the other members of the Ministry are so eager to give their colleagues is utterly worth- less. Why the Opposition have never insisted on bringing the matter to the issue in this way and by the use of this simple formula we have never been able to understand. Possibly there is some reason clear to great Parliamentary authorities which is obscure to the humble journalist. Till, however, we have learned it, and are "better taught," we can only express our surprise.
Previous page
