LABOUR’S CRITICISM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21184, 3 November 1938, Page 7

LABOUR’S CRITICISM

COMMITTED TO VAGUE OBLIGATIONS LACK OF PLANNING ALLEGED British Official Wireless (Received November 2, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 1. Opening the debate in the House of Commons, Mr C. R. Attlee (Leader of the Opposition) said they would have an opportunity to-morrow in discussing the Government’s proposal to ratify the Anglo-Italian agreement, and state their objections to that course, and explain their position, on the very large questions of international policy It raised—particularly the vitally important question of Spain. After criticising, in a number of details, the application of the Munich Agreement, and asking for further information on the proposed guarantee of the new frontiers in Czecho-slovakia, Mr Attlee said he was opposed to committing Britain to vague obligations outside the framework of the League of Nations. He called attention to the economic consequences of the recent events, and contended that through the absence of economic planning, the Government had left the country, despite its great economic resources, in no fit condition to meet the challenge of a trade drive by Germany. Government’s Failure Mr Attlee said they had heard the talk of a national register, but there was already a national register of people who wanted work, but could not find it. Unemployment was an example of how the country's Immense potential strength was not being brought Into play. The same lack of planning had been seen in the Government defence measures. There had been a failure to decide on a plan, as the result of which the vital need for passive defence against air attack had been neglected and subordinated to the needs of the fighting services.