5 JULY 1913, Page 9

NEWS OF THE WEEK

• ON Tuesday the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Attorney-General were entertained at a luncheon given by the National Liberal Club. Lord Lincolnshire was in the chair, and he was supported by several peers, including Lord Haddo and Lord Swaythling, and also by Mr. Winston Churchill, Mr. Masterman, Mr. Handel Booth, Mr. Godfrey Isaacs, and Mr. Harry Isaacs. Mr. Falconer's name does not appear in the list of those present. Mr. Lloyd George began by speaking of "the more reputable and influential amongst the Tory papers " which had " refused to lower their dignity by joining in this unctuous and fatuous man hunt." He then turned to the Tory Party in the House of Commons, and was not so pleased with them. He next drew a pathetic picture of how he and the Attorney-General sat through the dreary dark winter silent when calumny was being hurled from every quarter at their heads. " We as members of the House of Commons felt bound by its traditions not to answer." " Hitting a man when he is down ; hitting a man when his hands are tied and he cannot hit back—that is the Tory notion of fair play." Why the Malin action suddenly set him and the Attorney-General free, and why they were then able to make the statements before the Committee Which they had not made to the House of Commons, was not explained, but, at any rate, Mr. Lloyd George now rejoices in his power to hit back.