Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

OPPOSITION ABACK

i “POLITICAL TREACHERY” I ■ : “NO MORE DEPLORABLE ; SPEECH ” 1 LONDON, June 18. The Italian and German Ambassadors • were present in the House of Commons during the speech of the Foreign Secretary. Mr Eden was frequently interrupted ) with fries from the Oppositica of “Rc--1 sign/’ “Shame,” “Sit down,” and ' “Sabotage.” ’ Mr A. Greenwood (Labour), who fol- . ’ lowed Mr Eden, said that no more deplorable speech has ever fallen from ' Ihe lips of a Foreign Minister. There was no word of sympathy for a broken • nation, and no word of condemnation for a Power that had deliberately organised the use of poison gas It was a speech that meant truckling to a Dictator, and millions would hear it with shame and consternation. Mr Greenwood compared past speeches of members of the Government with present performances and said they had betrayed their election manifesto and committed the biggest act of political treachery in the country’s history. He added that unless the House was given ] an emphatic denial it would have no , alternative but to believe that the Government’s policy included limitation of the powers of the League and reversion to regional pacts. Only Effective Weapon Lost Angry scenes were provukt-d by Mr Greenwood’s denunciation of the Government fur “dispensing with the ' League’s uno effective weapon.” Members of the Ministry shouted, “Will you go to war?” Labour members cried: “Order.” A Conservative attempted to put the question formally, and met with cries I of “Sit down.” Earl Winterton (Conservative) sarcastically shouted “Brave Socialists,” and another Conservative cold the La- 1 hour members “It isn’t you who will do the fighting, but us.” A Labour member retaliated; “You’ll . get a staff job, I suppose.” When the House quietened down Mr Greenwood said he did not believe in war. The only thing left was economic i and financial sanctions, which properly ( applied, would bring any nation to its , knees. Britain Beaten? Mr David Lloyd George (Independent Liberal) said that if the Government was going to Geneva to say it ' was beaten, that the League had failed, ; and that it did not propose further sanctions, there would be an end to ( the authority of the League Mr Eden’s predecessor, Sir Samuel lloare, had the decency to resign when his policy was thrown over. Air Lloyd George said he had been in the House nearly half a century, ami never before had he heard a British Minister holding the next most important position to the Prime Minister say that Britain was beaten. “There will be international anarchy the moment this is known,” he declared. “It is no use Mr Eden saying he is going to Geneva to reconstruct and reform the League. No nation has refused to uphold sanctions, and the ranks of the League must not be broken. Mr Eden is going to Geneva to break thfciu and to smash the League. I wish, he had left it to somebody else. Abyssinia has not been conquered.” France’s Attitude Mr David Lloyd George asked what was France’s attitude, and Mr Eden replied that the new French Government said it was not prepared to take the initiative in raising sanctions, but was anxious to work with Britain. The French Government had not given an indication of its desire to maintain sanctions or that it would support further sanctions. Mr Lloyd George proceeded: “British prestige abroad was never lower, and fifty nations will never I trust this crowd again. To-night | we have had a cowardly surrender, | and there are the cowards.” Mr i Lloyd George stood pointing at the Ministers. He declared in ringing tones that the danger of war was less now than when sanctions were imposed. The Fleet was then unprepared and ill equipped under a patriotic National Government. Now the Navy was really equipped. Moreover, France’s attitude, which under M. Laval was hostile to sanctions, had now changed. Spain’s attitude was also different. “The whole of the Mediterranean Powers except Italy are ready to support you,’ be said, “yet you are running away.” The Government's watchword was “We have failed, and therefore we have funked.” But why*’ Italy’s foreign trade.had dwindled by over half, and if the increasing strain was kept up for another year terms could be made with Signor Mussolini. Government’s Unanimous Conviction. When Air. Lloyd George sat down a back-bench member rose, and members of the Labour Party cried: “We want Baldwin, ’ ’ The Prime Alinister thereupon arose. He claimed that in his speeches he hod stressed the tentative nature of sanctions and collective security. He was convinced that the League in the autumn must consider the whole question of collective security. The views staled by Mr. Eden had the unanimous support of the Government, which was honestly convinced that they represented the wiser of the two courses. It was necessary for the League Powers and Europe to make up their minds whether they were prepared to put their forces as a condition of support of the League States against an aggressor. “1 feel convinced,” he said, “that among the common people 1 of many countries in Europe, here, and - in France there is such a loathing of ' war. not from fear but from knowledge of what it may mean, that I sometimes 1 wonder if they would march unless they believed their own frontiers were s in danger.” Were Britain .threatened every man would spring to arms, but a good deal of education might be needed before they would consent to I undertake all the obligations of the Covenant. If war came nearer than the Mediterranean tflie people would pay in the first night with their lives. The first blow might come from the air. “I don’t se« how and when an I opportunity would come.” he said, “but we are hoping to bring France; Germany, and ourselves into a conference for the peace of Europe.” No-confidence Motion. 1 The Leader of the Opposition, Alajor , Attlee, said: “Peace will never be uto-

tained by running away and shaking like a jelly at every dictator who shakes his fist at you. The Government is not piling up anus for peace but leading the country back to the bloodstained track of war.” The debate was adjourned. Major Attlee gave notice of motion: That the Government, by lack of a. resolute and straightforward foreign policy, has lowered the prestige of the country, weakened the League of Nations, and imperilled peace, and thereby has forfeited the confidence of the House. CANADA’S POLICY PREMIER'S STATEMENT SANCTIONS MUST BE LIFTED OTTAWA, June 18. The delegates to the September meeting of the League of Nations will be instructed to support a movement for lifting sanctions. The Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons that Canada’s policy had been that sanctions should be applied, but she had reserved the right of Parliament to speak before military sanctions were applied. The Government took special steps to see that Canadian nickel did not reech Italy, but it has been a difficult matter because of indirect shipments to the , United Kingdom and the United States. MANY CRITICS : EVEN AMONG GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS i Deceived June 19, 11.50 p.m. LONDON, June 19. - “Even Government supporters are 1 criticising handling of the sanctions debate, especially the failure effective- - ly to answer Mr. Lloyd George’s stre- ; turs/’ says the Times’ political cot- ’ respondent. “It is felt that Mr. • Lloyd George obtained a valuable 1 start which will be difficult to over- - take.” ‘ The mail’s political correspondent > says: “Mr. Lloyd George’s speech was J one of the most devastating in his 1 career. There was consternation when I he described the Ministers as cowards. Many Conservatives were asto.unded ■ that Mr. Baldwin only feebly replied 1 to this charge. The Government Whips ’ have been instructed to ensure a IOU ' per cent. Government vote against the Labour motion. There is no question of a Government defeat, but nevertheless the Ministers are clearly disturbed by the reception given the sanctions ■ decision.”

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19360620.2.55

Bibliographic details

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 145, 20 June 1936, Page 9

Word Count
1,321

OPPOSITION ABACK Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 145, 20 June 1936, Page 9

OPPOSITION ABACK Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 145, 20 June 1936, Page 9