CHEERFUL MOOD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25216, 31 May 1945, Page 6

CHEERFUL MOOD

BEITISH PARLIAMENT SOME LIVELY EXCHANGES (Special Correspondent) LONDON, May '2O Easy laughter and a delight in seeing former colleagues of the War Cabinet now on the opposite sides of the House, verbal thrusts and counter-thrusts, made for a friendly atmosphere at the first sitting of Parliament after the Whitsun recess. In that recess, the Coalition Government was broken up and it has been replaced by Mr Churchill's "caretaker Government, but the business of the House was continued as usual, with the exception that Labour and Liberal Ministers squeezed into places oh the Opposition front benches and faced their colleagues of the last five years.

It was a packed House, with practically every bench tilled and most of the galleries occupied. The first hour was devoted as usual to questions. Cheers and Laughter

As each Minister or former Minister arrived, he was greeted with cheers. Sii- Churchill arrived at the time when Sir James Grigg, Secretary of State tor War. was answering a barrage of fire about the War Office, and was being barracked to "speak up." Mr Churchill's entry helped to relieve the Secretary for War of his momentary embarrassment. Mr Herbert Morrison was the first of the former Ministers to ask questions of Mr Churchill, He wanted to know how quickly Goering would be despatched, and the Prime Minister, to the accompaniment of a volley of cheers and chuckles, replied: "I don't know any more than I did the day before yesterday." Mr Krnest Bcvin was next to cross swords when Scottish disapproval of the appointment of the Marl of Hosebery as Secretary of State for Scotland was being aired. Sir Heviu asked whether the appointment of a peer indicated lack of ability among the men in the Government. Again Mr Churchill had a pat answer. "The right honourable gentleman," he said, "is in as good a position as I am to judge that —having for so lonir enjoyed their support." Every memlier was delighted- and there was a prolonged roar of laughter. Mr Eden Involved

tlie Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr Eden, had referred to the serious situation in Syria. Mr C. R. Attlee rose to ask questions about future business. He. too, was told to "speak up," but there was no need to make the same request of Mr Eden, whose clear voice was heard distinctly in the chamber, which is notorious for its acoustics. He was quickly involved in a wordy clash with Mr Morrison, wlie'n the latter learned that there might be no time before the election to introduce the former Home Secretary's bill on transition of controls.

To another roar of laughter. Mr Morrison demanded: "Cannot this Government make up its mind about anything?" Mr Eden had already explained that there might be insufficient time, and he retorted: "One "moment, the honourable gentleman says we have got. no mind and when we express our mind he complains of it." The vexed question of holidaymakers not being able to vote was discussed. and there were continual cries of "Order" and a number of interjections. Mr Morrison was heard demanding that Mr Churchill should speak up and Mr Churchill to remark: "The honourable gentleman seems to have come out of the Home Office with worsened manners."

"Enjoyable Occasions" Many more points were made about holidaymakers, particularly in Lancashire and Scotland, being unable to vote, and Mr Churchill declared his willingness to di«cuss_ the position with "those of the other side." - Exchanges were continued in an atmosphere of good humour until, amid general uproar, caused by exchanges as to whether the election should be held at another time, a member called out: "Beaverbrook is your boss."

Apparently Mr Churchill thought the word "blackmail" had been used and. rather pink and frowning, he asked the Speaker of the House. Colonel Clifton Brown whether this was in order. When it was made clear that there had been a misunderstanding, good humour returned. One member suggested that there was no need for any heat to be engendered. Mr Churchill replied: "No heat has been engendered in my mind. In fact, I rather enjoy these occasions." The House enjoyed the occasion, too. with its unusual background to business as usual —which also included the introduction of new members. When the House went on to debate the coal situation, everything seemed so "usual" that the majority of benches very quickly emptied.

CONTROLLING GERMANY REPARATIONS QUESTION LONDON, May 29 Asked in the House of Commons how often the Reparations Commission in Moscow had met, who were the British delegates and what share of the reparations total was claimed by Britain, Mr Churchill replied that the commission had not yet met. It was to meet in Moscow, as was arranged at Yalta. The British delegate would be the SolicitorGeneral. Sir Walte Monckton. Mr Churchill added that he would make no statement iri advance of the date of the meeting of the commission. Asked if he would consider the appointment of a special economic advisory body to assist in the military government of British-occupied Germany, Mr Churchill said. "No, sir." Adequate arrangements had already been made to enable those responsible for the military government of British-occupied Germany to receive from the British Government the advice, information and instructions they require on economic matters.

Answering Lad.v Apsley (Conservative Bristol), who asked whether, in view of the fact that other members of the United Nations were taking steps to ensure strategic control of the approaches to their respective countries, consideration would he given to safeguarding the United Kingdom bv retaking possession of the former Kingdom of Hanover. .Mr Churchill replied: "No. We arc not seeking to enlarge our bounds as the result of the war that we have fought. We fought it for great principles and in satisfaction of those principles we v'lali find our reward. '

SURPLUS AIRMEN DISCONTENT IN AUSTRALIA (Reed. 8.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 30 The morale of the R.A.A.K. in Australia lias suffered through the inability of hundreds o! hilly-trained voung men to get. into the.war against japan, savs the Svdney Sun's special writer today He adds that senior officers of the training command are concerned at the ill-effects of idleness and thwarted ambition on enthusiastic" young Australians, but the officers are themselves powerless to remedy the position. Instead of doing the fighting for which they enlisted, these young airmen are alleged to be doing nothing at all at their stations; getting continuous leave which they do not want; fretting at routine jobs; and repeating training courses. Several R.A.A.F. training centres have closed and others have so few pupils that there is keen competition anions: instructors to obtain their quota of work.