d simply carried out the
policy of the Government, a policy which, though some hon. Members did not
seem to appreciate it, had now been altered.

Committee on the Finance Bill saw the annual assault on the tea duty. "We
are going to drop this duty directly we are in a position to do so," said
Commander KENWORTHY, with his eye on the Treasury Bench. "Who are we?"
shouted the Coalitionists; and it presently appeared that "we" did not
include Sir DONALD MACLEAN, but did include Colonel WEDGWOOD, who, as
becomes one of his name, was all for a generous tea-pot.

[Illustration: LIEUT.-COMMANDER KENWORTHY GIVES AN INFERIOR IMITATION OF
MR. CHARLES CHAPLIN.]

Undeterred by his failure over tea, Commander KENWORTHY next attacked the
duty on films, complaining _inter alia_, "Mr. CHAPLIN is taxed twenty
pounds for every thousand feet." Mr. CHAMBERLAIN defended the tax on
general grounds, but wisely avoided Mr. CHAPLIN'S feet, over which it is
notoriously easy to trip.

The debate on the beer duty shattered one more illusion. It is an article
of faith with the "Wee Frees" that Sir GEORGE YOUNGER is the power behind
the scenes, and that Mr. LLOYD GEORGE is a mere marionette, who only exists
to do his bidding. Yet here was the autocrat confessing, _qua_ brewer, that
the latest addition to the beer duty was the biggest surprise of his life.

_Tuesday, July 6th._--The LORD CHANCELLOR'S request for leave of absence in
order that he might attend the Spa Conference was granted. Lord CREWE'S
remark, that it was "a matter of regret that the Government had to depend
upon the noble and learned lord for legal assistance," might perhaps have
been less ambiguously worded. At any rate Lord BIRKENHEAD thought it
necessary to allay any possible apprehensions by adding that he would be
accompanied by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

The gist of Mr. CHURCHILL'S comprehensive reply to allegations of waste at
Chilwell was that there were not enough sheds to cover all the stores, and
that to build additional accommodation would cost more than it would save.
There was a pleasant Hibernian flavour about his admission that the goods,
"if they remained in their present condition, would, of course,
deteriorate."

Who says that D.O.R.A. has outlived her usefulness? The HOME SECRETARY
announced that the sale of chocolates in theatres is still _verboten_, so
the frugal swain, whose "best girl" has a healthy appetite, may breathe
again.

[Illustration: DAVID COPP