Britain Must Bestir Herself

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 5

Britain Must Bestir Herself

SPEED AND VIGOUR URGED BY CHURCHILL (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, April 13. The Leader of the Labour Opposition, Mr C. R. Attlee, who followed Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons, expressed disappointment that Mr Chamberlain had not more clearly dissociated himself from his former policy of trusting the dictators, which had been proved to be mistaken. Mr Attlee thought that the rape of Albania was to the Anglo-Italian agreement "hat the destruction of Czechoslovakia was to the Munich Declaration.

The Liberal Leader. Sir Archibald Sinclair, said he was doubtful if the Government was destirring itself sufficiently at a time when it should be moving quickly and resolutely to build up • general system of collective security. He also urged the necessity for a Ministry of Supply and was also anxious to see a closer approach to Russia. Winston Churchill welcomed the assurances to Greece and Rumania, but maintained that the essence of the polic of building up alliances against an aggressor was speed and vigour. He entered a plea for compulsory service. The former Leader of the Opposition, Mr George Lansbury, asked what guarantee there was, if once more Europe was plunged into war. that th- masses of young men would not again have to give their lives in an adventure which led nowhere.

The former Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, said that the British object was not encirclement but the provision of an organisation which would afford a basis for negotiations. “There is no hope of bettering the situation until respect for international engagements is restored.” said Mr Eden. It was a formidable task, but the policy that the House of Commons had already endorsed was the only one by which It could be achieved.

Back-benchers continued the debate, discussing the possibility of United States co-operation and agreeing that attempts from Europe to influence United States opinion would not be helpful.