Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1945. MR. CHURCHILL’S “BIRTHDAY.”

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 May 1945, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1945. MR. CHURCHILL’S “BIRTHDAY.”

CHURCHILL’S partiality for dramatic situations has been well served this week, when perhaps his own “finest hour” arrived. Few will question that he fully deserved the plaudits raised throughout the Empire, yesterday, for his courageous leadership during the five years he has been Prime Minister, he succeeding Mr. Chamberlain on May 11, 1940. Mr. Churchill has received much adulation since, some allowing their grateful appreciation to overrule their judgment, they forgetting that in the cause of national unity, allegiance was freely forthcoming and criticism was suppressed, concerning Mr. Churchill’s decisions and attitude. He had the advantage of a truly National Government to lead, and it would be wrong on this day of Mr. Churchill s triumph to forget the debt due to Labour and Liberal adherents, for sinking, tor the time being, their political principles. Newspapers and radio also were to Mr. Churchill’s virtues ever kind, and to his faults a little blind.

Now that the strife is over and the battle won, it must be expected that disclosures will come of the mistakes made by the Prime Minister, well as of his achievements. It is absurd to claim that without him, Britain would have gone down. In no branch of human activity is any one man indispensable, and had not Mr. Churchill been available, some other would have led the nation to victory. ’What is undeniable is that destiny gave Mr. Churchill the task, and right well did he accomplish it. It is doubtful if any other could have done better. History will rank him high among Empire leaders, and he is assured of a place in the records of the famous. It is wonderful that a man m his 70’s could continue to work so hard and accept such great responsibilities as Mr. Churchill has, and it seems almost unkind to wish “many happy returns’’ of this week’s anniversary of his Prime Ministership. Now that his chief task is completed, he might be wise to retire from the leadership, act as elder statesman to his nation and Party, and devote his leisure to the writing of a history of the war. He writes even better than he speaks. What a story he will have to tell of the 1940-45 happenings! It is unlikely that he will relinquish voluntarily his high office, but a general election is due this year. The people’s acclamations this week of Mr. Churchill form no guarantee that the polling booths, later, will reflect similar support and confidence. Mr. Churchill is eager to have a continuance of a Coalition Government, but Labour and Liberals have officially declined this invitation. Prestige from the great victory over the Germans must help Mr. Churchill and his Party, but it was significant that the recent by-election at Chelmsford —considered a Conservative stronghold—was lost to a member of the despised Common Wealth. Another shock, —this time for Labour, —was the Motherwell result, an Independent winning. These surprises must have upset the equanimity, of Conservative and Labour headquarters, and worried political Prophets. With a new register, containing the names of millions who have never previously voted it is difficult to predict today, who will be Prime Minister after the general election is held.