PRESS COMMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23265, 28 July 1945, Page 5

PRESS COMMENT

Causes Of Conservative Collapse Mr Churchill’s Place In History By Telegraph —N.Z Press Assn -Copyrnli (Rec. 7.35 p.m.) LONDON. July 27. No one would dream of interpreting tlie crushing defeat inflicted on Mr Churchill’s Party as in any way bringing into question his place in history, national pride or tlie affection and gratitude of the people., says “The Times” in a leading article. Even though the electorate exercised once more its right to declare, gratitude belongs to history, not to politics. No shadow can fall across a name that forever is a national possession. “The Times,” after examining the causes of the landslide, adds: "When all allowances are made for the emergence of a new generation of voters and the pendulum swing among the old, it is necessary to seek an explanation for the Conservative defeat in the circumstances of the conduct of the election itself. Mr Churchill himself introduced a narrower programme and the animosities of a Partv fight, in consequence of which a great national programme was allowed to slip into tlie background and Mr Churchill's own stature temporarily diminished.’' “The Times” describes the virtual extinction of the Liberal Party as a melancholy event, but adds that the tendency toward two-party grouping is probably inevitable and healthy. The supersession of Mr Churchill may lead to international perplexity, but there is no reason why the world should look for a revolutionary change in foreign or, indeed, domestic policy. The British people stand where they stood throughout the war. Their new representatives will speak the same language as the old. The “Dailv Telegraph” says it is an unpalatable fact that confidence in British steadiness and British inflcm world affairs has to be justified afresh. The coming years w!l judgment on the electoral decision t dispensed with Mr Churchill', .■ rvi ■ at a moment when the decision was in strange variance with the warm gratitude which every man and woman throughout the country felt towards him. It is safe to assume that many electors, beset by domestic problems which are the aftermath of the war, cast a vole against the existing order

without thought to compile the land- I slide which they produced, and there is little doubt that many, shocked at i the realisation of the result and given 1 the opportunity, would vote differently next week. “Staggering” ! To call Labour's victory remarkable would be an understatement, it is I staggering, says the “Daily Mail.” There will naturally be a full inquiry into the reasons for the Conservative defeat, and an overhaul of the existing organisation methods will almost certainly be demanded. In some aspects of the election there is no doubt that Mr Churchill was ill-advised and his principal supporters seemed completely out of touch with the feeling of the country. The “Daily Express” says a tidal wave has swept over Britain. It is a political debacle which will have most profound and most far-reaching effects upn the history of Britain and the world. The rejection of Mi- Churchill's leadership must present itself to the world as an event of great disturbing significance. A Silent Revolution Britain has undergone a silent revolution, says the “Manchester Guardian” in a leading article. The people swung Left in the country no less than in the towns. "When they voted Left they meant it. They voted Labour and knew what they voted for. The Prime Minister tried to scare them in broadcast after broadcast, but their marrows were not frozen. We enter a new political world. Though we (and the Labour' leader, too) may shiver just a little at the thought of what lies ahead, we enter it with confidence. This is part of the European revolution. The British vote parallels the revulsion of feeling throughout Europe against the old regimes and old habits of thought. There is encouragement in this, for if our affairs are wisely managed we have a magnificent chance of exerting British leadership in a desperately troubled world.” The journal pays a tribute to Mr Churchill's personal qualities, and says his attempt to make the election a personal plebiscite did him immense harm. Lord Beaverbrook’s efforts did a great disservice to the Conservatives. The performance of the British people in the 1945 general election deserves to rank in history alongside the mightiest of their achievements, said the “Daily Herald.” In spite of thenaffection for Mr Churchill, which will always remain, millions who had never previously belonged to any party stood firm by their conviction this time that Labour must be returned to power. Labour will now prove that its policies will bring greater happiness to the country and new lustre to its leadership among the nations. A New Start The "News Chronicle” stale.; that the British nation can now look forward with renewed hope and courage to an era of great things. From to-day Britain makes a new start. All the energy, initiative and courage of the dark days of 1940 are given a chance to be turned to a creative purpose. The “Financial Times"’ says the initial need is for ti.e clear formulation of the new Government's policy. The

nation requires speedy enlightment about Mr Attlee's attitude toward the reduction of taxation which would have been virtually assured if the Conservatives had been returned. The "New York Times." in a leading article, says ‘the result is perhaps the natural reaction of a nation sick of war and the symbols of war and moved above all by the desire for a change. War weariness goes very deep in Britain. Throughout the steadfast struggle with its bombs, blackout and privations the people have been promised great rewards. They were promised new homes, security and a far-reaching programme of social reform. Now they want to see this dream fulfilled. They voted for the party pledged to the quickest and fullest realisation of the peace programme. Mr Churchill chose to fight his inept campaign on domestic issues. It is clear that these issues decided the election. I>ußedoni Suggested The -New York Daily News’’ says that Mr Churchill should be created Duke of Churchill. lie has earned the honour as truly as Wellington and Mr Churchill’s great ancestor, Marlborough, earned their dukedoms. Whether Britain gives the honour that is dur or continues to heap ingratitude upon his head he will go down in history as the greatest Englishman of his lime and one of the greatest ol all time. The New York d leruld I ribum " says no electoral ret in ns could diminish the stature of Mr chmchdl. The election in which a her people deliberately retired a great war leader more fitting end to Mr Churchill's Ministry than any insubstantial, unstable result, fated to sink into the quicksands of iiariis.in politics .-.•util | possibly have done. < It is, a more sii -

personality than the khaki election of 1918 ever was to Lloyd George. It at least, saved his career from the dreary consequences which overtook his predecessor in the years just alter the last war. The Washington correspondent of the "New \ork limes says it is noted superficially that the Labour Parly victory should knit Britain and Russia closer together, but observers point out that the Russian Communist s dislike nothing more than Communists. The new Government apparently represents something like State Socialism. Britain has moved mile shehtly to the Lett and is still lai from ('itiniiiuiii.'iii. Indeed. on many issuis. such as the nationalisation of transport and coal mining, the Conv<l| <• licld similar views.