LABOUR CRITICISM

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 129, 25 February 1938, Page 11

LABOUR CRITICISM

“Security Of Country Imperilled”

PLEDGES IGNORED?

Government Challenged To Election (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, February 23. A manifesto issued after a meeting of the National Council of Labour —the executives of the Labour Party, the Parliamentary Labour Party, and the Trade Union Council—which was called to consider the resignation of Mr. Anthony Eden, the Foreign Secretary, challenges the Government to submit to the electorate the change which it alleges has been made in the Government’s foreign policy. It states: — . “The Prime Minister and a majority of Cabinet have disregarded the pledges upon which the National Government gained the confidence of the nation at-the last General Election. They' l have brought the League Covenant into derision. They have abandoned the principles which hitherto inspired this British people in their international relations. The Government has decided to enter upon negotiations with Italy under conditions which involve a betrayal of the friendship and confidence of the democratic nations. The Government refuses to make a stand in defence of international law. The Government’s policy Imperils the security of the country and the Commonweilth. The British Labour movement reaffirms its uncompromising opposition to any agreement, with either Fascist Italy or Nazi Germany on the basis indicated by Mr. Chamberlain in his statement to Parliament.”

MEANING OF CHANGE Effort To End Hostility And Suspicion (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, February 23. The conflicting views on the issues raised by the resignation of Mr. Anthony Eden which were expressed in the House of Commons are reflected in newspaper comment. Support for the attitude taken by Mr. Eden is confined almost entirely to the Opposition Press, but on all sides there is full recognition of the high conviction by which Mr. Eden was guided. “The Times” says: “The British belief in the value of publicity as a.political safeguard has been fortified during the past two days. The full and frank debate in which the House of Commons investigated the origins of the disagreement between Mr. Eden and his colleagues has now largely restored the sense of proportion. It has been an elementary vindication of the institution of Parliament. Nothing has been glossed over or hushed up. Criticism is free, and critics will continue to be heard. But the world has no excuse for misconceiving an event which means no more at bottom than that the British Government, while faithful to its friendships and principles, will devote new energy to a thorough test of what may be done by more positive diplomacy for the elimination of the causes of international suspicion and hostility. The conversations with Italy are no rebuff to the League, nor in any sense a disservice to it.”

MR. EDEN’S PLANS

Will Reveal Inner Story Of The Crisis London, February 23. The Australian Associated Press says that the Government is well satisfied with the result of last nights’ vote on lhe no-confidence motion in the House of Commons. The abstainers did not exceed expectations, and Ministerialists to-day are in a much easier frame of mind.

The situation is much more satisfactory in the House, but a long time will elapse before the affair settles down in the country. The rhetoric and bitterness of the Labour members, coupled with the public’s profound distaste at the manner of Mr. Eden’s exit, will inevitably be capitalised throughout the country in a furious campaign in favour of Mr. Eden but against the Government. The next move will occur when Mr. Eden speaks in his constituency on February 25, revealing many points which he withheld from the debate. It would be of the greatest Interest to have the inner history revealed, the agency states, because the resignation is anything but devoid of subtle political intrigue.