Clause 1. — (Power to Prolong Period of Naval, Military, or Air Force Service.)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 26 March 1919.

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Photo of Mr Gerald France Mr Gerald France , Batley and Morley

If the right hon. Gentleman will realise that there is in the minds of people in the country very grave and serious suspicion regarding anything that they think is an undue prolongation of service, and if he will look into it from the point of view of what is good for the country and the Army, I think he will see that the proper thing for him to do is to accept some such suggestion as this. It would do a great deal to remove suspicions and grievances, and if at the expiration of three or four months he could come down to the House and show clearly that to secure the fruits of victory which we all desire to get, and the securities and guarantees which we all are determined to have within reasonable limits already laid down—not some new securities and guarantees extending over some twenty-five years—we require an extension of time, then he could with sound and reasonable argument suggest to the House that the time should be extended, and I am perfectly certain that the House and country would support him in that contention. He could then make out a sound case and carry the judgment of the House with him. But to suggest the date now is not only to fill certain minds with great suspicion, but to create a suggestion of grievance which is not a good thing for the country or the Army itself. I therefore sincerely, and with all the force that I can command, without any feeling of antagonism to the Bill as a whole, but with a desire to support it in order to enable the country to secure the end for which we have fought, ask him to accept this Amendment, which I believe would go a long way to meet the feeling of the House.