Critics in the Commons.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372903, 25 October 1917, Page 5

Critics in the Commons.

GOVERNMENT REFUSES PARTICULARS. [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, Oct. 23. In the House of Commons, critics of the London air defences moved the adjournment of the House to discuss Fidday’s raid. Mr Austen Chamberlain and Admiral Sir Hed'.vorth Meux advised the House to make short work of the motion. Mr Bonar Law said ho refused to help Germany by giving particulars of our methods of defending London. Of eleven Zeppelins, only one came over London., The view of the air service officers was that the mist did not save London, but it saved the Zeppelin, If the Germans ever smiled at our way cf conducting war, they would have a happy time over the British House of Commons stopping its, business to make this fuss over the greatest air defeat Germany had ever suffered. Two raids upon German* towns 'with large populations had already taken place, and this is what happened: Owing to the pressure by on’c or two members of the House of Commons and the pressure uy newspapers to find out what we were going to do, it was a fact that the Germans, who knew the only quarter from which the raids could take place, had sent flying squadrons to a wait our flyers and were ready to receive our men. The motion was withdrawn.

The “ Daily Express” says; “If the bombing of a town 40 miles over tho border is what the Government means by bombing German towns, it is not what the public mean. The statement creates widespread astonishment, as continued lack of action is causing widespread discontent.”