Efficiency, not economy, is the PRIME MINISTER’S watchword.  Sir EDWARD CARSON as a Member of the War Cabinet will have no portfolio, but will enjoy the not inadequate salary of five thousand a year for what the Profession calls “a thinking part.”  The new Minister of Reconstruction is to have two thousand a year; and we shall no doubt hear shortly that he has begun his labours by reconstructing another hotel for the accommodation of his staff.

[Illustration:  THE SECRET SERVICE IN THE HOUSE.  MR. KING HAS SUSPICIONS OF SOMETHING NEFARIOUS.]

With the spirit of expansion pervading the Head of the Government, it is not surprising that the expenditure of the country continues to rise.  The panting estimators of the Treasury toil after it in vain.  Mr. McKENNA’s passionate plea for a limit to our war-expenditure would have carried more weight if he had shown any sign during his own time at the Exchequer of being able to impose one.  As it was, Mr. G.D.  FABER’S interjection, “Do you want to limit munitions?” quickly reduced him to generalities.  The House had to rest content with Mr. BONAR LAW’S assurance that, though we could not go on for ever, we could go on longer than our enemies.

Wednesday, July 25th.—­In answer to Mr. PEMBERTON-BILLING the UNDER-SECRETARY FOR WAR stated that since the outbreak of hostilities there had been forty-seven airship raids and thirty “heavier than air” raids upon this country, “making seventy-eight air-raids in all.”  It is believed that the discrepancy is explained by Mr. BILLING’S unaccountable omission on one occasion to make a speech.

He made one to-night of prodigious length, which brought him into personal collision with Major ARCHER-SHEE.  Palace Yard was the scene of the combat, which ended, as I understand, in ARCHER downing PEMBERTON and BILLING sitting on SHEE.  Then the police arrived and swept up the hyphens.

Opinions differ as to Mr. KING’S latest performance.  Some hold his complaint, that the Government had introduced detectives into the precincts of the House, to have been perfectly genuine, and point to his phrase, “I speak from conviction,” as a proof that he was trying to revenge himself for personal inconvenience suffered at the hands of the minions of the law.  Others contend that he knew all the time the real reason for their presence—­the possibility that Sinn Fein emissaries would greet Mr. GINNELL’S impending departure with a display of fireworks from the Gallery.

Thursday, July 26th.—­Mr. GINNELL put in a belated appearance this afternoon in order to make a dramatic exit.  But the performance lacked spontaneity.  Indeed honourable Members, even while they laughed, were, I think, a little saddened by the sight of this elderly gentleman’s pathetic efforts to play the martyr.