PARTY POLITICS IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22673, 30 March 1939, Page 11

PARTY POLITICS IN BRITAIN

MOVE FOR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

MAXIMUM ' MILITARY EFFORT URGED

(Received March 29, 10 p.m.), LONDON, March 28,

Thirty-four Government supporters, including Mr R. A. Eden, Mr A. Duff-Cooper, Mr Winston Churchill, Mr L. C. M. S. Amery, Lord Wolmer, and Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, have tabled a motion in the House of Commons which reads as follows:

“In view of the grave dangers threatening Britain and the Empire after successive acts of aggression in Europe, and the increasing pressure on smaller States, menaces can only be met successfully by a vigorous prosecution of the foreign policy outlined by Lord Halifax, for which a National Government should be formed on the widest possible basis and entrusted with full powers over the nation’s industry, wealth, and man power, to enable the country to put forward the maximum military effort in the shortest possible time.” Lord Buckmaster will table a motion in the House of Lords on April 5, in favour of compulsory nationa\ sernefc lot home defence only. A plea for closer working between the political parties in face of the menace of aggressor States was made in a speech by Mr Duff-Cooper Referring to Signor Mussolini’s speech, he said that had such language been heard 10 years ago, it would have provoked horror. The story that Herr Hitler wanted only to unite the Germaps in Germany had now been exposed and exploded by himself with neither excuse nor apology. The time therefore had come for resistance. He thought war could still be avoided, but only by swift, resolute, and united action. Referring to the need for political unity, he urged that other parties should be asked to share in the task of a national government. The sight of all parties rallying under one leader would have a heartening effect throughout the world. He thought it desirable also to form a smaller body within tl\e whole Cabinet so as to secure rapidity of decision.