DON'T ADD SHAME TO SORROW

Northern Advocate, 7 March 1947, Page 5

DON'T ADD SHAME TO SORROW

It had been said that Britain could not leave the Arabs and Jews to fight in Palestine. How then, could Britain walk out of India and leave a state of war between 90.000.000 Moslems and 200.000.000 caste Hindus. Mr Churchill, after suggesting that the India problem, like Palestine, should be sent to the United Nations added: “It is with deep grief that I watch the clattering down of the British Empire, with all its glories and all the services it has rendered mankind. “We must neglect no expedient to avert the ruin and disaster which will follow the disappearance of Great Britain as a power in the East. “Let us not add, by shameful flight and by premature scuttle, to the pangs and sorrows which many of us feel; the taunts and sneers of shame.” The Opposition continued cheering for some time as his colleagues congratulated Mr Churchill. The Minister of Defence (Mr A. V. Alexander), replying said the Government accepted the challenge thrown down by Mr Churchill. It was one of the best

speeches of Mr Churchill’s lifetime (cheers). , vk . i) Mr Alexander, as the Conservatives A continued cheering, added: “And history may well decide that the speech has been the principal factor in w preventing the Indian sides coming •;( together.” (Labour cheers and Opposition protests). Mr Alexander said he believed the Indians intended to form a constitu- -j tion which would give protection to minorities. Mr Churchill had attacked Mr Nehru ; but Mr Nehru was an experienced and cultured person, and if Mr Nehru and his colleagues were given a fair opportunity to cooperate with other parties they would bring India through her present difficulties to power and prosperity. Mr Alexander continued that British people wanted friendship with the .Indian people and it was fatal for one in a position cf responsibility and.au- •• thority, and with great political ' experience, to talk in the House in this way of the leaders with whom Britain had negotiated.