ANXIETY ABOUT FAR EAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 21 January 1942, Page 6

ANXIETY ABOUT FAR EAST

CHURCHILL PROPOSES A DEBATE BROADCASTING OF SPEECHES FACILITIES FOR LISTENERS OVERSEAS (Rec., 10.35 a.m.) Rugby, Jan., 20. In the House of Commons Mr Churchill was asked by Mr Pethick Lawrence whether he appreciated the great anxiety felt in all parts of the House in regard to the situation in the Far East and the importance of having a discussion before that situation further deteriorated. Mr Churchill, who was greeted with cheers from all parts of the Commons said. “I naturally share the anxiety felt at the war in the Far East, but I also share the growing confidence which I think might also be justified in the eventual outcome of this struggle ” He added that it was proposed to have a three day debate on the war situation in the near future. Should these debates disclose any circumstances which seemed to involve a chalh 'ge to the Government ic would be arranged on the second or third sitting day to put down a vote of confidence, so that any relevant amendment in any form could be moved. Members might be able to state any difference they hac. with the Government in the most effective form and the House would be able to express its opinion. He proposed himself to open the debate and.

if necessary, to wind it up. AERODROME DEFENCE Mr Churchill also announced that facilities would shortly be given for a debate on the defence of airfields, upon which there had been lately considerable discussion out of doors. On the whole the Government considered this debate should be public, though this would necessarily impose restraint on the discussion. The debate would be opened by the Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair). RECORDS OF SPEECHES In reply to a question whether he would consider making arrangements for broadcasting important speeches made in the House of Commons in view of the fact that arrangements had been made in connection with his recent speeches to Congress at Washington and the House of Commons at Ottawa, Mr Ci urchill said he* had considered this matter long and carefully—and also with diffidence —and, to some extent at the present time, it affected himself. “It certainly would be a very great convenience and would, I believe, be welcomed by the public if an electrical recording of major statements about the war could be made,’’ he said. “This record could be used for subsequent broadcasting. That might be deemed an advantage. In my own case I have constantly been asked to repeat a speech I have delivered to the House in the morning over the broadcast in the evening. This imposes a very heavy stiain and, moreover, is unsatisfatcory from the point of view of delivery. It has been represented to me that, in the Dominions and the United States, there are very large numbers of people who would like to listen to records of the actual speech or parts of it rather than to the news summaries such as are usually compiled by the 8.8. C. Moreover such a record could be used at the most convenient hour in the various countries, which now encircle the entire globe. “I should hope therefore that the House might be disposed from time to time to grant me or any successor 1 may have during the war this indulgence. An innovation of this kind in our practice should be most carefully ] watched. I propose that the experiment j should be made in the case of a state- ! ment I have been asked to make at an 1 early opportunity on the present war t situation. There must necessarily be in | that statement a good deal that is of j some interest, both in America, Aus- j tralia, and New Zealand as well as India and South Africa. “A motion will therefore be placed on the paper for discussion of the procedure to be followed on this particular occasion only. As a separate motion would be required in each individual case, the House would have full counsel of the practice and, if it is found objectionable or invidious, or not in the public interest, it could be dropped. Evidently the practice would not be suitable to periods of party Government. The record would be the property of this House and its use, in the event of j any controversy arising, would be a ‘ matter for decision by the House under the speaker’s guidance. As it is a matter which affects the customs of the House I leave the decision to a free vote.” DIFFERENCES IN TIME Mr Churchill added with regard to the subsequent use to be made of the record that it would be convenient because of the difference of time in the

United States, the Dominions and South Africa. He had a feeling that, in circumstances of war, when matters affecting so many of our Dominions ana Allies must come up, this proposal would be a useful one. He of course was entirely in the hands of the House and, if they did not like it, no would not take it amiss in any way and would be ready to give the broadcast in the evening.—8.0. W.