BRITISH MINISTERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 August 1939, Page 7

BRITISH MINISTERS

VIRTUAL CABINET MEETING WILL PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLE? [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, August 21. Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax conversed for three and a-hall' hours. Virtually a full Cabinet meeting will be held to-morrow. An Official Wireless message stated that, in London, principal interest is now fixed in to-morrow’s meeting of Ministers, when Lord Halifax will report upon the international situation. The meeting was arranged before the Ministers dispersed on holiday, but, in view of the developments in the European situation in the past few days, there is satisfaction that Mr. Chamberlain and his colleagues will have an opportunity at this stage of reviewing together the more-critical position which has followed from the reappearance in Central Europe of the tactics by which the crisis of last September was inaugurated, and from the clamant reiteration in the German Press of the impossibility of the compromise upon demands which the whole world knows will mean war if they are persisted in. This growing tension is bound to engage the Ministers’ most-serious attention, though it is generally recognised here that Britain has done almost all that lies in her power to ensure peace, by defining with precision and clarity her attitude and obligations. On June 29, Lord Halifax declared: “In the event of further aggression, we are resolved to use at once the whole of our strength, in fulfilment of our pledges to resist it.” Mr. Chamberlain subsequently emphasised that these words represented Britain’s considered policy. The Ministers will no doubt be concerned to see if there remain any means, over and above all that has already been done to that end, to ensure that no slightest doubt survives in any quarter of the significance of that pledge. One matter which it may be assumed will not be excluded from consideration at the Ministers’ meeting is the summoning of Parliament. Before the adjournment, Mr. Chamberlain assured the Commons that the Government would not hesitate—if it thought developments made it desirable —to to call Parliament together, before the date fixed for the reassembly, October

3. At the same time, he resisted an amendment to the adjournment motion, which sought to fix a special session for to-morrow’s date, and it may still be his and his colleagues’ views that the meeting of Parliament is not at present necessary or opportune. Callers on Mr. Chamberlain included Mr. Greenwood, Sir S. Hoare, Mr. Burgin, and Lord Chatfield. OPTIMISM TN LONDON. LONDON, August 21. The “Evening Standard” says that a fairly-optimistic view prevails in British Government circles, despite the increase in international tension. Official circles do not believe that Germany is anxious to risk war, while England and France have made every effort to leave no doubt that an attack on Poland would meaipa general conflict. The “News-Chronicle” and “Daily Herald,” in leaders, urge the recall of Parliament. ANGLO-FRENCH ACCORD. PARIS, August 21. M. Daladier and Mr. Here Belisha conferred at the War Ministry, and covered the international situation in great detail. The French Cabinet will meet on August 22. Following the conference between M. Daladier and Mr. Hore Belisha, the Cabinet met twice. M. Lebrun will meet the Cabinet