Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1942. COMMONS DEBATE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1942, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1942. COMMONS DEBATE.

pROM eighty io one hundred and fifty words a minute is the average rate of Parliamentary and publie speakers, some being slower and others faster. About one thousand to twelve hundred and fifty words fill a newspaper column. Both speakers and readers should remember these estimates. The former may thus have their indignation lessened when they are inadequately reported, and all should be wary of criticism of speeches, of which they are given but extracts. This discretion is particularly desirable when speeches by overseas public men are published, as it is obvious that little more than brief summary is presented, except occasionally when )lr. Churchill, or Mr. Roosevelt, or other leading man. is tin* orator.

This week’s debate in the Commons on the war situation was an instance of unavoidable summarised publicity. Overseas comment on the statements is handicapped by this hick of knowledge ol all that was said, although, perhaps, this ignorance does not deter some critics. It would appear that the opportunity was taken by some Commoners to censure Mi. Churchill for his absence from the House during the debate, and also lor his determination to remain as Minister ol Defence. The Prime Minister has given earlier intimations that he is too busy to attend many Commons sessions, that he considers that the Ministry of Defence should be the coiieern ol the Prime Minister, and if the House as a whole, does not approve ol this attitude, the -Members know what they can do. So tar. Air. Churchill has retained the confidence of the great majority of the House. Amongst his severest critics is Mr. HoreBelisha. who -was Minister of 'War in the Chamberlain Cabinet, and lor the first four months of the war. His appointment Io that office was a surprise, and he added further shocks to Whitehall, when he promoted Lord (lort and others over the heads of their .Seniors. For a time, it was hoped that Britain had found the longawaited Minister who would revolutionise War Office methods, but the hope was disa ppoinfed. .Mr. I lore-Belisha was dropped, ami lias not since been taken back into the Ministerial fold. Whether this lias any influence on his hostile altitude towards Mr. Churchill and Hie present Government, is best known Io himself, but he seldom lets an opportunity pass to censure the Ministry lor its sins of omission and commission. Ihe reverses on land and sea Io British arms have given him scope for “guerrilla warlare. but. the criticised declare dhat he speaks with the wisdom of knowledge obtained after the event. They remind him of how he failed, when in office, to realise the importance of mechanisation of army equipment. These dissensions in the Commons may be material for enemy propagandists w | in Haim they prove national disunity, | )tll those who know tlw Commons, remain calm, realising that Mr. HoreBelisha docs a certain amount of good by his verbal excesses, in minimising eom-idat-em-y in high places.