CONFIDENCE VOTE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20242, 9 May 1940, Page 6

CONFIDENCE VOTE

BRITISH CABINET CONDUCT OF WAR OPINIONS ON NORWAY CENSURE VOICED APPEALS FOR REFORM (FJer. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Revd. May 9, 1.40 p.m.) 'LONDON, May 3. It is explained that the division forced by the Labour Party amounting to a gesture of no-confidence was on ,thc motion fer the adjournment of die House of Commons which has been debating the campaign in Norway. The motion was carried by 281 votes to 200. the House thus rejecting the censure gesture of the Labour Party. Government cheers and Opposition counter cheers greeted the result of the division which was virtually on the Government’s war policy and in particular its conduct of the operations in Norway. The Air Minister, Sir Samuel Hoare, during his speech said there was no foundation for rumours that a British aii squadron arrived in Norwegian waters without petrol and the machines were destroyed before they went into action. “We want real, action, not sham action.” said Mr. D. Lloyd George (Ind.-Lib. Carnarvon). “Herr HitlePs greatest triumph is that he has put Germany in a better strategical position and put us in greater jeopardy. Mr. Chamberlain has met Herr Hitler in peace and war and has always been worsted. (Loud cheers.) Grave Menace Feared “We were too late in Norway, although we had warning. Norway brings German planes and submarines 200 miles nearer. It is a grave menace. "We are infinitely worse off. Our promissory notes are now rubbish in the market. We must restore our presMge if the war is to be won. “We are in the worst strategic position in which this country has ever been placed. “We are proud to read of the gallantry of our troops; all the more shame that we make fools of them. Everybody is dissatisfied knowing that everything is done half-heartedly, ineffectively and unintelligently.” Mr. Lloyd George 'sat down amid Opposition cheers and Government counter cheers. Hope For Drastic Reform Mr. A. Duff Cooper (Con. St. George’s), said: "I will vote against the Government. This is not a time when any man has the right to hands like Pontius Pilate and take neither side.” Mr. Duff Cooper added is would be far better not to have a division. “I had hoped that the Government would be sufficiently impressed by the debate to make some drastic reforms so urgently needed,” he said. Discussing the new position of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Duff Cooper said: “It is fundamentally unwise to put one service Minister in a superior position to the others. How can disputes between two departments be referred to an arbiter who is head of one of them?” Attitude to Italy Referring to Italy, he said: “I am very sorry at the denial of a report that the ambassador has been sent to Signor Mussolini with a stern message. It is over three weeks since Count Grandi said that Italy could not long remain an observer. If a man of such importance makes -such a statement our ambassador should go to Signor Mussolini and ask the meaning of the. statement. (Loud chqers.) “W|e should send leading statesmen to the Balkans and tell them that, salvation lies in co-operation with England and France” *

Sir Stafford Cripps (Labour, East Bristol) said: "I found in the United States nothing but scathing criticism of the British Government. Here there is no conviction of success, only doubt, despondency and uncertainty. I am certain that Mr. Churchill intended to risk surface vessels as we]J as submarines in Norway, but there was a change of policy influenced perhaps by fears that the loss of capital ships might bring in Signor Mussolini.”