HELP FROM BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1942, Page 7

HELP FROM BRITAIN

Mr. Attlee's Assurance to Australia and N.Z.

(Rec. 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 25. Mr. C. R. Attlee, the new Dominions Secretary, has sent the following message to the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand:—

"In these difficult hours, when for the first time in history the danger of v'ar has approached the shores of Australia and New Zealand, I hope the appointment to this office of myself as a member * of the War Cabinet and Deputy Prime bMinister may be taken as a symbol of the determination of the Government and people of this country to do all in their power to help iheir kinsfolk beyond the seas. I am sure-that with full and mutual confidence and co-operation we shall come together through these dark times and move steadily io victory."

Mr. Attlee also telegraphed a message on similar lines to Canada and South Africa.—B.O.W.

We are no less confident today of ultimate victory. But for weeks —it may be for months—we shall pass through times of acute anxiety and difficulty, and it is because of this that we must brace ourselves anew in our efforts for victory. The circumstances are grave, and the Government is convinced it is the wish of the people in this country to treat this grave situation with all tlie seriousness and austerity it undoubtedly demands.

"For two and a half years now the great majority of the people of this country have been working their hardest in various spheres to give every help they can, but there still remain a minority who regard their pei«onal interests jn a manner not consonant with the totality of tlie effort required. The Government is determined that such an attitude cannot be permitted to exist. It creates and spreads a sense ot frustration and disappointment, and must be dealt with ruthlessly whenever and wherever it occurs. We are not engaged .in a war in which we can take as a maxim ■Business as usual' or 'Pleasure as usual.'

The Government proposes to take such measures as may be necessary to prevent the abuse of the wishes of the majority of the people by any small or selfish group. Personal extravagances must be eliminated, together with any other form of wastage, small or large, and any unnecessary expenditure. THE INDIA PROBLEM. Dealing with the Indian situation, Sir Stafford Cripps gave indications oi' an impending Government decision on the problem. The Government, he said, was much concerned with the question of the unity and strength of. India in the face of dangers which now threatened India, and very fully realised that it was important that this country should do its utmost in the present circumstances to make a full contribution towards that unity. The Government hoped a debate would be possible shortly upon the basis of the : Government decision in the matter. The question of colonial policy had j

also been raised. There was now a new Secretary for the Colonies, who, he was sure, would reconsider the method of administration of colonial policies.

As far as the question of troops raised in India was concerned, manpower and training facilities were available. Difficulty had arisen . over the question of equipment, and as soon as that could be supplied the number of troops could be increased. The industrial development of India was a matter which the Government regarded as of great importance, and although there were difficulties in view of the great effort of production that had to be made in this country and other parts, of the Commonwealth, they had promised to inquire into this matter with a view to seeing whether there was something necessary to be done in order to expedite that development. BOMBING POLICY. On the question of bombing policy, Sir Stafford Cripps reminded the House that it was the policy in force at the time when we were fighting alone against the combined forces of Germany and Italy. It then seemed the most effective way in which we could take the initiative against the enemy. Since then 'we had had an enormous access of support from the Russian armies, and also from the great potential strength of America. Naturally, in such circumstances, the original policy had to come under review, and -was being kept constantly under review. He assured the House that the Government was fully aware of other uses to which resources could be put, ancl the moment they arrived at a decision that circumstances warranted a change, a change in policy would be made.

Some doubt had been expressed whether there was that degree of coordination of the three Services through the chiefs of staff and in the field which was satisfactory at the present time. He assured the House that every effort was being made to improve that co-ordination. The Chiefs of Staff Committee was based upon the principle that each of the three chiefs of staff was responsible for advice as to the three Services. That meant that the committee was jointly and separately responsible for giving advice as to the three Services.

Regarding industrial efficiency, Sir Stafford Cripps referred to a suggesI tion that the joint effort of workers and managers might be ingreased by fuller co-operation between the two parties in industry. The Government, ho said, was fully conscious of ihe most valuable part that the skill of the workers could play in assisting the management, and they had already taken steps to set up a workshops committee in order to review this valuable co-operation. The Government was very anxious that it should be! encouraged to the fullest extent' throughout every industry. HIS OFFICE EXPLAINED.

Sir Stafford Cripps, who earlier in his speech defined his own position as "an interpreter of the, views of the House to the War Cabinet and of the War Cabinet to the House," then referred to his relations with the Deputy Prime Minister. As Leader of the House he would deal with all matters concerning the business of the House, and the Deputy Prime Minister would, in the absence of the Prime, Minister, answer all other questions addressed to the latter.

As to how the War Cabinet would function. Sir Stafford Cripps said this body had, and exercised, the fullest powers. The members of the Cabinet had every opportunity of forming independent views on any question of strategy and any other question prior to the taking of decisions. As the Prime Minister had said, the responsibility was joint and general. The Prime Minister, as Minister of Defence, operated under the authority of Cabinet nnd the Defence Committee, and in every case the official decision was that of the AVar Cabinet itself.

Regarding post-war reconstruction. Sir Stafford Cripps said the question had been asked what was to be done in ihe future in ibis connection, and the necessity had been stressed for making some preparation for economic j and social-changes which probably would take place in the new circumstances of the post-war world. In that relation the Department of Reconstruction -was set up. and was under the direction of a Minister without portfolio (Mr. Greenwood). It had been the Government's intention to continue that. Department, since it fully realised the importance of the function it was to carry out. Precise arrangement as to the responsibility of its direction had not yet been de-: cided. WILL TO WIN.

"We are passing through a period of difficulty and anxiety of which there has probably been no equal in our history.'' he said. "We shall not be borne down by those difficulties or worn out by those anxieties, because we are all determined in our purpose to win through. In the hard months that lie ahead the House can and will. I am sure, give to the people of this country a groat lead in deter-* mination, and constancy of purpose." —8.0. W.