The Spectator at war: Defence of the realm

From ‘The Defence of the Realm’, The Spectator, 13 March 1915:

BEFORE dealing with the merits of the Defence of the Realm (No. 2) Bill which Mr. Lloyd George introduced into the House of Commons on Tuesday, it is necessary to say a few words about the manner of the introduction. This is a measure which Mr. Bonar Law, whose power of effective criticism seems to grow each week, accurately described as one of the most drastic proposal ever laid before Parliament. It is, in brief, a proposal to authorize the Government to take over any factory or workshop that they think they may want for the production of war material or any unoccupied building they want for the housing of workmen. Obviously such a measure as this, which places a large portion of the property of private citizens at the absolute disposal of the Government ought to be carefully considered by the House of Commons, how- ever much need there may be for haste.