COMMONS VOTE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20242, 9 May 1940, Page 5

COMMONS VOTE

NORWAY AS ISSUE LABOR CENSURE FAILS BRITISH CAMPAIGN CHALLENGE TO CABINET CHAMBERLAIN ACCEPTS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 9. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 8. It is confirmed that the Labour i Party has decided to force a division in to-night's debate in the House of Commons on Norway, amounting to a gesture of no confidence The House, voting on the adjournment motion, cast 281 votes for the motion and 200 votes against. The Government retained the confidence of the House by a margin of 81 votes. The Dominion High Commissioners, including Mr. W. J. Jordan, sat in Tile crowded galleries when the debate was Continued to-day. Mr. Herbert Morrison (Lab. Hackney), said that in the eyes of the world Britain’s prestige had been badly let down. “I wonder whether the Government, instead of taking this business seriously, is merely discharging the moral obligation of protecting themselves from criticism,” said Mr. Morrison. "How near must we get to disaster before the Ministers try to understand Herr Hitler’s psychology? “We must understand that we are fighting an enemy not worried overmuch about neutral rights. It was most unwise to tell Herr Hitler we were going to lay mines before laying them. We should have laid the mines first and told the world afterwards. ‘‘ls Mr. Churchill being used as a shield for Mr. Chamberlain? It is unfair to overburden Mr. Churchill with the responsibility for policy.” Doubts of Ministers Mr. Morrison named Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the Chancellor. Sir John Simon, and the Air Minister, Sir Samuel Hoare, as unequal to the task. More than any other three men, he said, they were responsible for not avoiding war. They lacked courage, initiative, imagination and liveliness in the conduct of foreign policy. Lack of these qualities was again manifesting itself in the actual conduct of the war. “I feel that if these men remain in office we will run a grave risk of losing the war,” declared Mr. Morrison. Mr. Morrison prefaced his criticisms by declaring that on neither side was the House actuated by partisanism or personal considerations. The issue was far too serious for that. The Government, however, ought to have known enough of the ways and habits, probabilities and intentions of Herr Hitler to anticipate this attack upon Norway. * Acceptance of Challenge When Mr. Morrison announced that the Labour Party would divide the House in the evening, Mr. Chamberlain electrified the House by springing up and declaring the challenge made the occasion graver still. “I accept the primary responsibility for the actions 'of the Government and my colleagues are not slow to accept their responsibility,” declared Mr. Chamberlain. This, however, was riot a case of any personal consideration, because rio one would for a moment desire to hold office a moment longer than he retained the confidence of the House, said Mr. Chamberlain. “But this is a time when we are facing a relentless enemy who must be fought with United action.” No Government could prosecute the war efficiently unless it had public and Parliamentary support. He accepted the challenge of the division. Indeed he welcomed it. “At least we shall see who is with us and who is against us,” he said. ,