Page:Punch Vol 148.djvu/567

House of Commons, Monday, 7th of June.—Attention just now centred on Treasury Bench, where the lion of Conservatism sits down with the lamb of Liberalism, and that shrewd little child, Henry Herbert, leads them. The Member for Sark has idea that even more interesting is the figure on Front Opposition Bench of the statesman who by strange chance, after many vicissitudes, comes to represent that well-known agricultural hunting district, the Wimbledon Division of Surrey.

Forty-seven years ago Harry Chaplin entered the Commons as Member for Mid-Lincolnshire. Held the seat for twenty-eight years. Through period approaching half a century has watched slow changes of procedure and manner that have revolutionised the House. Whilst ever preserving the courtly manner of his early generation, has tactfully adapted himself to circumstance. For a while, between 1886 and 1900, he found himself included in any creation or reconstruction of Conservative Governments that happened to be in progress. Ministerial career terminated with last year of nineteenth century, fitly closing with its calendar. In conjectural talk about constitution of Coalition Government, roaming over probabilities and possibilities, his name was never heard.

There remains vacancy in one post unsalaried and, in the strict sense of the word, unofficial. There is no Leader of the Opposition, for sufficient reason that organised opposition is non-existent. His Majesty's Ministers still with us; for first time in Parliamentary history His Majesty's Opposition has disappeared from the scene. To man of Chaplin's constitutional principles (a matter of native instinct), this condition of affairs fraught with grave danger to the State.

Not lacking Members below Gangway on both sides self-comforted by assurance that they could add fresh influence to important position. Mr. Ginnell, for example, last week made bold but ineffective bid for it. On reflection Member for Wimbledon Division, with his long experience, his intimate acquaintance with Parliamentary men and matters, modestly but justly conscious of possessing esteem of all parties and sections of parties, came to conclusion that perhaps no one would fill the office better than himself.

Accordingly on first day of assembly of House under direction of Coalition Government he, rising from seat on Front Opposition Bench in far-away times occupied by his old friend and master Disraeli, of late in possession of Bonar Law, interposed with the question Leader of Opposition is accustomed to put to Ministers on such occasions—

"What business does the Government propose to take next week?"

Crowded House, quick to grasp the situation, genially laughed and heartily cheered.

To-night, the noblest Roman of them all filled his part with added gravity. Usual when a Minister moves Second Reading of important Bill for Leader of Opposition immediately to follow and indicate line his party is prepared to take. Chaplin, preserving the non-party but all-patriotic attitude assumed by his immediate predecessor in office, expressed the hope that the Bill would be passed without a moment's delay.

In a well-disciplined force that should have settled the matter. Leader of Opposition has, however, not yet had time to drill his men. Using phrase in Parliamentary sense, he cannot yet get them promptly to "form fours" on word of command. Their natural instinct is to break out in sixes and sevens. Thus it was tonight. Long wrangle delayed progress with a measure declared on highest authority to be urgently needed for safety of country and for protection of gallant men who by thousands daily sacrifice life and limb to preserve it.

Business done.—After acrid debate Ministry of Munitions Bill passed Second Reading without division.

Tuesday.—Handel Rachel Booth weeping at absence of ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer, would not be comforted. Anxiously enquired about him yesterday. This afternoon, observing his vacant seat, Handel, nothing if not musical, chanted the enquiry, "Oh where and oh where has my Celtic laddie gone?"

"My Right Hon. Friend," the Prime Minister loftily replied, "is either Minister of Munitions or he is not Minister of Munitions. If he is Minister of Munitions he is not entitled to sit here. If he is entitled to sit here he is not Minister of Munitions. As a matter of fact he is not Minister of Munitions as there is no such office until the House passes this Bill, and there is no such person."

Gibe of course unintentional. But a little rough on hardworking colleague that he should be alluded to as the Mrs. Harris of the Cabinet. Lloyd George was officially nominated to new Ministerial office. If, truly, there is "no sich a person," as Mrs. Betsey