FATAL BLUNDER

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1935, Page 7

FATAL BLUNDER

HONOUR QUESTIONED MR. BALDWIN SUPPORTED FUTURE OF SANCTIONS PRECEDING PRECAUTIONS LOYAL POWERS MAY ACT By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Dec. 21. The greatest tactical blunder of the debate in the British House of Commons was Mr. C. R. Attlee’s declaration that the Labour resolution of censure affected Mr. Stanley Baldwin’s honour. It gave Sir Austen Chamberlain an opportunity which was immediately seized to rally the supporters of the Government to Mr. Baldwin’s side, a task which, as the Times admits, might otherwise have been more difficult. Actually no members of the Government parties voted against the Government. The minority in both divisions consisted solely of Labour members, Opposition Liberals and the Independent Labour group. “It is generally felt that Sir Austen Chamberlain could restore general confidence and should at least be invited to act as Foreign Secretary during the next few critical months,” says the Times.. In winding up the debate Mr. Neville Chamberlain Said that the Government stood as before—for security by collective action. He had not lost his faith in the League, but the ultimate sanction behind the League must always be force, and unless members of the League were prepared to equip themselves and use that equipment if necessary they could not expect to attain complete success. In reply to a question in the House of Commons Lord Cranbome, private secretary for League affairs, stated that no recent discussions had taken place, nor had plans been circulated to other countries or been under consideration at home concerning reform of the League of Na10nS' AUDIENCE WITH KING. Mr Stanley Baldwin had half an hour’s audience with His Majesty and subsequently conferred with his colleagues regarding the new Foreign Secretary. _ The Times in a leader says there is not the slightest reason why the Powers that have been loyal to the Covenant obligations should abandon sanctions for surrender. Nevertheless they owe it to themselves and, above all, to the League that precautions precede action. Only the extent to which they are ready to co-operate in it will enable judgment regarding future action. The Sun-Herald says that members of the House of Commons departed to-day for the Christmas recess far from happy. Some of the Government's most loyal supporters feel that while Sir Samuel Hoare enhanced the prestige of the Government’s case he has not altogether satisfied public opinion nor completely dispelled uneasiness. Consequently it is believed in many quarters that Mr. Baldwin must and will eventually go. Mr. Baldwin would not hold office a minute if he thought he was not carrying the public’s complete confidence. Many believe that by Easter or the summer Mr. Baldwin will retire. He has frequently said in recent years that he is a tired man and continued only in order to maintain the national character of the Government. According to the Daily Mail there is a possibility that Sir Samuel Hoare will be invited to rejoin the Government in the New Year. An official decree at Rome announces an additional appropriation totalling £17,000,000 for East African expenses.