At the outset Mr. Asquith had to
encounter an amendment from Mr. Chamberlain. It is needless to say that,
while the most Radical Government which ever existed is proposing
Radical legislation, the cue of Mr. Chamberlain will be now and then to
"go one better"--to use the American phrase; and accordingly here was an
amendment from Birmingham which went even further than the Bill of Mr.
Asquith. With gentle but effective ridicule Mr. Asquith, riddled the
Chamberlain amendment; but for the moment the amendment served the
purpose of delaying further progress with the Bill.
[Sidenote: Another surprise.]
And there was another surprise--actually a fourth Bill--also from the
Government Bench; and also proposing to make a further beneficial change
in the position of working men. Mr. Mundella wanted to get power for the
Board of Trade to regulate the hours of labour among poor railway men.
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach--who burnt his fingers over Stationmaster
Hood--rushed up after Mr. Mundella had sate down--to claim a portion of
the credit for this beneficial change. Here, again, the Opposition
showed that meekness which has come over its temper.
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