The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1940. The Commons Verdict

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1940, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1940. The Commons Verdict

IT will be readily believed that the debate in the House of Commons upon the war situation, especially in the light of the Norwegian campaign, has monopolised public attention in Britain and in all European countries. America, too, is evidently realising that the Allies’ conduct of the war is a matter of serious import to the American people. •. The debate was' of a forthright character, and some hard hitting took place. The Labour Party had announced its intention to make the issue one of no-confidence in the Government, and Mr. Chamberlain had indicated his pleasure at such a development, stating that while he was convinced that the Government had acted in the best way possible under the circumstances, he personally had no wish to continue in office if he did not possess the confidence of the House and the country. The House gave the Prime Minister a majority of 200 when a vote was taken, and the value which Mr. Chamberlain places upon this remains to be seen. Mr. Lloyd George was in characteristically critical mood, and he declared unequivocally that Mr. Chamberlain should resign in view of the inept manner in which he and his Government had dealt with the Norwegian question. Mr. Churchill, who was to wind up the debate, interjected at this point that he was solely responsible for the naval policy in relation to Norway, whereupon Mr. Lloyd George demonstrated that his rhetorical quiver has not been spent, for he retorted that Mr. Churchill had converted himself into a bomb shelter to save Mr. Chamberlain from critical splinters. This was clever repartee, but not helpful. Just how far these verbal exchanges affected the decision of the House is questionable. The London press is obviously deeply concerned about the Government’s handling of the war, and expresses the fear that the withdrawal from Norway must have a lamentable effect upon neutrals, who will be still more afraid than ever to rely upon Allied promises of support if they throw down the gauntlet to Germany. This is a matter which cannot be blinked. It therefore became vitally important that the decision of the House of Commons should envisage British determination that if errors have been committed they will not be repeated, and that the best use will be made of Britain’s power, which, critics to the contrary, is of great magnitude. All depends upon the direction of this power, and the House of Commons was required to give an assurance that the direction will be bold and wise. The fact that the House voted confidence in the Government by 280 votes to 200, while some hundred members were absent when the vote was taken, cannot be regarded as altogether satisfactory. The Government certainly has a substantial majority in the House of Commons, and Mr. Chamberlain is in a position to carry on if he wishes to do so, but it is too early to learn his reactions to the debate. Mr. Churchill’s declaration that the Government’s policy regarding the landing north and south of Trondheim was taken on the joint advice of the army and navy heads will doubtless influence public opinion, as will his further statement that Britain’s inability to defeat the Germans in Norway was due to the latter’s superiority in the air. Britain, said Mr. Churchill, had given Germany five years’ start in air construction, and she must expect to suffer until her strength is the numerical equal of Germany’s. Quality of machines and men, he says, is all very well, but there must be numbers if all calls are to be met.