TRIBUTE PAID BY MR CHURCHILL

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23177, 14 November 1940, Page 8

TRIBUTE PAID BY MR CHURCHILL

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S WORK QUALITIES ADMIRED BY BRITONS (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.I (Received November 13, 7.10 p.m.) RUGBY, November 12. Tributes were paid to the memory of Mr Neville Chamberlain in the House of Commons by the leaders of the three great political parties, each of whom is a member of the present Cabinet. Mr Churchill said that it fell to Mr Chamberlain in one of the supreme crises of the world to oe contradicted by events, disappointed in his hopes and deceived and cheated by a wicked man. But what were the hopes in which he was disappointed, what were the wishes in which he was frustrated, what was the faith that was abused? They were surely among the most noble and benevolent instincts of the human heart —love of peace, toil for peace and striving for peace, even at great peril, "Whatever else history may or may not say about, these terrible, tremendous years, we can be sure that Mr Chamberlain acted with perfect sincerity according to his lights and strove to the utmost of his capacity and authority, which were powerful, to save the world from the awful, devastating struggle in which we are now engaged.'' Mr Churchill continued that this effort was a help to the whole Empire, for the verdict of future generations would be that Britain was guiltless of the blood, terror and misery which had engulfed so many lands and peoples. "Hitler protests with frantic words and gestures that he only desired peace. What do these ravings and outpourings count before the silence of Chamberlain's tomb? “Long, hard and hazardous years lie before us,” Mr Churchill added, "but at least we have entered upon them united and with clean hearts.” Mr Churchill spoke of Mr Chamberlain's possessing in an altogether exceptional degree certain qualities which were always admired in Britain—physical and moral toughness of fibre, precision of mind and firmness of spirit. "The same qualities which made him one of the last to enter upon the war made him one of the last who would quit it until the final victory of a righteous cause was won. “I have had the singular experience of passing in a day from being one of his most prominent opponents and critics to being one of his principal lieutenants, and on another day of passing from serving under him to become the head of the Government, of which with perfect loyalty he was content to be a member. "Thereafter he acted with a singleness of purpose and a simplicity of conduct which at all times and especially in great limes ought to be a model to us all. "If Mr Chamberlain grieved at ail. it was that he would not bo, could not be. a spectator of our victory, but I think he died with the knowledge that his country had at last turned the corner. "Mon of all parties will join In do ourselves and our country honour in paying respect to one whom Disraeli would have called 'an English worthy.’ ” The traditional adjournment of the House of Commons as a mark of respect was not taken, as a result of a request by Mr Chamberlain himself during his last days. The Foreign Secretary (Lord Halifax). in the House of Lords, also spoke of Mr Chamberlain's high qualities, and particularly emphasised his capacity to attach to himself the unswerving loyalty of those able to appreciate his real fibre and quality.

MINES IX BASS STRAIT R.A.A.F. CONTINUES TO SEEK RAIDER MELBOURNE, November 13. The Navy Office announced that it would be a few days before a channel could be completely swept in Bass 5 r shipping between Tasmania and Victoria. The Minister for Air (Mr J. McEweni said that the search of the ocean for the raider suspected of having dropped the mines was being continued by the Royal Australian Air Force. MONEY TO BUY AEROPLANES LONDON. November 12. With the telegraphing of £IO,OOO to the Air Ministry, Jamaica, according to reports from Kingston, has completed an undertaking to provide money sufficient to buy a full bomber squadron of 12 aeroplanes, one being a "super bomber" costing £20,000. A news agency message from Dar-es-Salaam states that Tanganyika, with a population of 5.000.000 but including only 7000 whites, has now sent sufficient money for two fighter aeroplanes and another instalment of £3OOO for general war funds, making the war fund total £21,000 to date.

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE IN RUMANIA EFFECT ON GERMANY’S OIL NEEDS (Received November 13, 10 p.m.) BUCHAREST. November 12. American oil company officials say ;hat the earthquake will not seriously iffect the shipment of oil to Germany. Fhe wells were only slightly damaged, md will be restored to full working opacity in a few weeks. The present rate of shipment can be maintained