LABOUR PARTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22117, 24 May 1935, Page 11

LABOUR PARTY

ADVERSE MOTION REJECTION BY COMMONS ANSWER TO GERMANY WARNING AGGRESSORS CO-OPERATION URGED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 22 Following the delivery of Mr. Baldwin's speech on the national defence policy in the House of Commons to-day, Major C. R. Attlee (Labour—Limehouse) moved a reduction of the defence vote.

Major Attlee said that although the whole of Herr Hitler's speech was not satisfactory—for instance, his references to Lithuania and Russia—an immediate attempt should be made to stop the new armament race. " Our answer to Herr Hitler should not be just rearmament," said Major Attlee. " The only way to halt an aggressor is to make him realise he would be met by the co-ordinated forces of the world. The whole menace must bo grappled with on international lines. Why not put this up to Herr Hitler? " German Aircraft and Submarines Mr. Winston Churchill said that although he welcomed parts of Herr Hitler's speech, it had in no way created a new hopeful situation. Herr Hitler's attitude pooled security, the Danubian problem and the demilitarised zone. The newly-created German Air Force contained the largest proportion of long-distance bombers in the world. There was little chance of a universal agreement for the abolition of submarines if Germany had 35 per cent of the British Navy in brand-new ships. It would far exceed 35 per cent of the British Navy in value. The new German construction must be met by superior construction in Britain, said Mr. Churchill. For the first time in centuries Britain was not fully equipped to repel or retaliate against foreign invasion. Best Guarantee of Peace Sir Stafford Cripps (Labour— East Bristol) asked did not the Government count on the help of the French and other Air Forces in the event of an air attack by Germany. Mr. Baldwin replied that that was, the form of security the Government hoped to negotiate in the proposed air pact. Sir Stafford said that if Herr Hitler meant what he said it was an opportunity for an agreement which it would be criminal to miss. The Under Secretary of State for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon, in winding up the debate, said that until they obtained the limitation of arms for which they had worked a strong British Air Force was the best guarantee of peace in Europe. Major Attlee's motion was rejected by 340 votes to 52.