NO QUARREL WITH THE "BRASS HATS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 14, 17 January 1940, Page 7

NO QUARREL WITH THE "BRASS HATS."

PREMIER SPEAKS. Commons Statement On Cabinet Changes. AEMY PRESSURE DENIED. L'nLteil Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 111.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 16. The House of Commons; was crowded and a most animated atnioHphere prevailed in anticipation of statement by Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, ex-Secretary of Htate for War, and Mr. Chamberlain. The Peers postponed their meeting for half an hour in order to hoar the opening speeches. Mr. Oliver Stanley, who succeeded Mr. Hure-Belisha at the War Office, sat beside Mr. Chamberlain and was loudly cheered when he rose to answer the first question. Mr. Hore-Belisha was cheered when he entered and sat on the LiberalNational front bench. Mr. .Stanley left the Chamber before Mr. Hore-Belisha arrived. Mr. Chamberlain's review of the progress of the war wa» preceded by references to Mr. Hore-Belisha. "It is natural that changes affecting jiweonalitit's, particularly when those jieieonalitie* are vigorous and wellknown like Mr. Hore-Belieha, should attract sympathy and interest to an exceptional degree.," said Mr. Chamberlain. "So change in Army policy could be expected tc result from the change in Ministers'. There were no differences between the so-called 'Brass Hate' and Mr. Hore-Belisha over the Army promotion syetein. "It is pure invention to suggest there has been Army pressure on the Prime Minister to displace Mr. Hore-Belisha," ho said. "It is not true that I was faced with displacing Mr. Hore-Belisha, or receiving the resignations from high military officers. But I don't propose to give detailed reasons for the Cabinet changes." Only One Criterion. "I became aware, of difficulties arising out of Mr. Hore-Belieha'e very great (ruaJitiee, which in my view made it titrable a change should occur. "While I am in office, and while there i* a war, I judge everything by one. criterion —whether it would contribute to the moet successful conclusion of the war. "I consider it most misehevious and unfair to suggest that military officers put pressure on me to displace Mr. HoreBelisha. It is certainly * not very complimentary to me to suggest I allowed myself to be influenced by pressure of such an improper character. "It is • scandalous aspersion upon responsible officers who are unable to speak tor themselves to suggest they had so tar forgotten their duty as to contemplate any action of the kind de•icribed. No officer ever discussed with mt it any time any question of the change in the Secretary of State for War. Constant Interjection!. "I did not went to loee Mr. HoreJelieha's services, and therefore I offered lim another important post, but he could not see his way to accept it. I very much regretted his decision. I deeply appreciated the tone and spirit of what Mr. Belisha has said. He put before all personal considerations the object of service to his country for the purpose of winning .the war." There were constant interjections from ,'iicmbers during Mr. Chamberlain's -peech. Cries of "Why don't you change yourself," were heard from the Opposition when he said he did not propose to give the reasons for the Cabinet change. Mr. Chamberlain replied, "I myself only hold my present office by favour of the House. If at any time the House thinks a change Is desirable, I shall nccept the position like Mr. HoreBeliaha without complaint." Liberal's Tribute. The Liberal leader, Sir Archibald Sinclair, paid a tribute to Mr. HoreBelisha's reforms. He pointed out he was not the sole champion of them. Mr. Chamberlain, replying to a question, hotly denied that Mr. HoreBelisha's resignation was due to any prejudice because Mr. Hore-Belisha was a Jew.