BRITISH CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22971, 24 February 1938, Page 13

BRITISH CRISIS

CENSURE MOTION DEFEAT IN HOUSE NEW FOREIGN POLICY LABOUR DENUNCIATION ALLEGATIONS DENIED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 23, .">.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 22 The Labour censure motion which was tabled yesterday in the House of Commons was moved to-day by Mr. Arthur Greenwood (Wakefield). It was as follows"That this House deplores the circumstances in which Mr. Eden was obliged to resign and has no confidence in the Government." Mr. Greenwood said the League of Nations and collective security hr.d apparently been abandoned by the Government, which was scuttling at the back door of a dictatorship State to make a deal behind the backs of friendly countries. General Election Demanded The new policy was a policy of "scuttle.'' Mr. Chamberlain ought to fay frankly that no loan would be granted to Italy, the only effect of which would be an intensification of that country's militarism. • Mr. Greenwood demanded a general election. It was the duty of Parliament to meet the people when there was a reversal of the Government's policy. The fate of the world rested in the trembling hands of the Prime Minister. Mr. Chamberlain stood for blind faith in his method which would lead to anarchy and must end in war. Liberty could not be kept by base subservience to the ruthless will of dictatorships. The Prime Minister's statement had shocked the moral conscience of the world. Retreat of Democracies Mr. Winston Churchill (Conservative, Epping) said it would seem to many an inopportune time for negotiations with Italy. The dictator Powers ; were striding from strength to strength and parliamentary democracies were retreating abashed and confused. The internal condition of Italy was causing Signor Mussolini anxiety, and it was easy to understand why Count Grandi had been instructed to encourage talks with Britain. It was much less easy to understand why Britain should hurry so eagerly to the rescup. Here was a case where they ought to allow time to play its part. Mr. Churchill added: "I believe Mr. Eden acted absolutely rightly. We shall bo asked in the Italian conversations to give a lot and there is little we can receive in return except concessions by ; Italy in connection with the long and unprovoked action in which she has indulged against us." Effect of British "Humiliation" Mr. Churchill' referred to the effect of "British humiliation" in the United States. "We will have to make a stand on some issue," he said. "Pray God, we will not find then that through our unwise policy we shall have to itand alone." Mr. Churchill expressed serious misgivings at the tendency of the recent British policy toward Germany and Italy, as exemplified in Viscount Halifax's mission, and lamented what he said he regarded as lost opportunities to assert the authority of law and right against might These courses, he feared, had confused Britain's friends and dissipated the reserves lof her moral strength. Mr. 11. J. G. Boothby (Conservative, Aberdeen) said Mr. Chamberlain was playing for high stakes, and urged the need for faith in his success. Efforts to Retain Mr. Eden The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. W. JS. Morrison, in replying for the Government, said all the suggestions that Ministers had • been trying to get rid of Mr. Eden were absolutely false. The Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, had made strenuous efforts to assist him and to retain his great services.

Mr. Morrison denied that the Government had surrendered to dictators. There was a time when domestic countries must stand up for what they thought to be right, not only against dictators, but' against spasms of excitement which happened in democracies after momentous events. The censure motion was lost by 3JO Votes to 108. •Mr. Churchill. Mr. Eden and Mr. Harold Nicholson were among 20 Conservatives who abstained from voting.

SEAL OF OFFICE MINISTER SURRENDERS British Wireless RUGBY. Feb, 22 Jy Having visited the Foreign Office to iS. take leave of/officials, Mr. Eden to-day went to Buckingham Palace to deliver his seal of ofliee on his resignation. He *as received by the King and the :| audience lasted about 45 minutes. I IRISH TALKS POSTPONED |fe; LONDON, Feb. 22 ||i. In view of the present political situa.tion in Britain the conversations between the Government and Tepresenta»es- of Eire have been postponed. SKa'