NEW BRITISH POLICY

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 46, 24 February 1938, Page 7

NEW BRITISH POLICY

Chamberlain’s Defence To Labour Charges ATTITUDE OP LEAGUE Ualt«4 Pr«u Association— By meetrle Tslesrapn-—Copyright. Beceived Thursday, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 22. “Month by month we have seemed to be setting nearer war. There may come a time when someone •ccupying the Prime Ministership will have to face again the awful responsibility of answering the question: ‘Will you plunge your country into war?' Does not an equally heavy responsibility rest upon a man who feels, as I do, that If we take no action we may presently be faced with the frightful question but who feels that, by taking action, we may avert it? I should not be fulfilling my duty If I failed to take such action as I have done." The Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, was greeted with cheer, when with these words he concludec his defence in the House of Common: against the Labour censure motior arising from* the resignation of Mr Anthony Eden as Foreign Secretary upor the question of whether Britain should now begin to negotiate with Italy with a view to some settlement between the two Governments. In moving the censure motion Mr A Greenwood said that the League ol Nations and collective security had apparently been abandoned and that the Government was scuttling to the back door of a dictatorship State to make s deal behind the backs of friendly countries. The new policy was a policy oi scuttle. The motion read: "That the House deplore* the circumstances in which Mr Eden has been obliged to resign and has no confidence in the Government." No Loan to Italy. The Prime Minister, Mr Greenwood declared, ought to say frankly that no loan would be granted to Italy. The only effect of such a loan would be intensification of militarism. Mr Greenwood demanded a general election. It was the duty of Parliament, The motion was defeated by 330 votes to 168. he said, to meet the people when there was a reversal of Government policy. Mr. Greenwood said that the fate of the world rested in the trembling hands of the Prime Minister. Mr. Chamberlain stood for blind faith. His method would lead to anarchy, which must lead to war. Liberty, declared Mr. Greenwood, could not be kept by base subservience to the ruthless will of dictatorships. The Prime Minister’s statement had shocked the moral conscience of the world. Mr. Lloyd George said that Mr. Chamberlain was dealing with some of the most astute brains in Europe. They had broken every possible promise made to Britain, but Mr. Chamberlain said: "At least I have got a formula from them.” Mr. Lloyd George added: "A man so dove-like is not fit to deal with Machiavellian dictators. He is only fit for a stained glass window.” \ Mr Chamberlain, in rising to reply, was cheered for two minutes. Mr Eden then entered the House. Mr Chamberlain said that he desired to be fair to Mr Eden. He had no recollection of Mr Eden’s ever saying to him that the question of international good faith constituted an embargo on conversations either with Germany or Italy. "The suggestion that we should enter conversations provided that certain things were done first was humbug," he said. (Ministerial cheers). It had been said that the entering of conversations was a humiliation. There had been talk of sacrifices to the dictators and that he was going whining to Signor Mussolini. "Such gibes and taunts leave me absolutely unmoved," said Mr Chamberlain. "Those who gibed did not realise the greatness of this country, which is strong and is the head and centre of a great Empire to which millions look up to for leadership.” Labour members who frequently interrupted here with loud shouting were called to order by the Speaker. Mr Chamberlain continued: “It Is for a strong country to do what a weak country cannot afford to do—namely, show magnanimity.” Mr Chamberlain said that Mr Eden on January 21 had told the French Ministers that the British Government was contemplating conversations and had discussed subjects for them. The French Government insisted that the discussions should include settlement of the Spanish question. He*had told thf Italians that that would be included. He repudiated the suggestion that the Government had gone behind the backs of friends. "If these conversations are to lead, as we desire, not merely to an improvement in Anglo-Italian relations, bui general appeasement all round the Mediterranean, in which the French are particularly interested, we cannot possibly achieve success unless the French are with us from the beginning.” he said.

Discussing the League, he said that, as at present constituted, it was incapable of affording collec-

tive security. If Britain remained In the League It was because if she left it might be reconstituted, and there was important work to be done. We would not change a single Covenant. "If the League threw off shams and pretences,” he declared, "what it was prepared to do it could do. Its moral force would be multiplied immediately."

Returning to the question of whether Britain should have talks with those who differed or whose standards Britain had not approved, Mr*Chamberlain said that refusal had not brought peace. Mr. W. 8. Morrison, replying for the

Government, said that all suggestions * that Ministers were trying to get /id of Mr. Eden were absolutely false. Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, made strenuous efforts to assist him and retain his great services. Mr. Morrison denied there had been a surrender to the dictators. There was a time when

democratic countries must stand up for what they think right, not only against dictators, but against spasms of excite-

went happening in democracies after momentous events. Messrs. Churchill, Eden and Harold Nicholson were among 20 Conservatives who abstained from voting