POSSIBLE NEW PARTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 9

POSSIBLE NEW PARTY

BRITISH— POLITICS GOVERNMENT MEMBERS IMPATIENCE SEEN CRITICISM OF FOREIGN POLICY [By Telegraph- Press Association —Copyright] LONDON, March 17. The News Chronicle says that a canvass of Conservative opinion in the lobbies revealed that many of Mr. Chamberlain’s supporters are increasingly impatient at the Government’s nerveless grasp of tlie situation and that it can be stated frankly that the Ministers are disunited on the next step. The Daily Telegraph says that Mr. Winston Churchill and Mr. Lloyd George see in operation the beginnings of a united front, as is evidenced by the new unity of Labour and Liberalism in criticising the Government’s foregn policy. Mr. Lloyd George has left for Paris and Mr. Winston Churchill will follow at the week-end.

Speculation has been aroused as to whether significance attaches to their visit and whether they will conrer with the French Government.

Mr. Lloyd George, before departing, declared that the British Empire and France had been manoeuvred into the worst strategic position ever. He described British policy as a "stubborn muddle,” adding: “I have never seen such a mess in foreign affairs since I have been in political life.”

In connection with the visit of Mr. Churchill and Mr. Lloyd George to Paris, where Sir Walter Citrine, secretary of the Trades Union Council, is attending the International Labour Conference, it is strongly stated in the lobbies that Mr. Churchill warned the Government that unless a firm line in Spain was accompanied by guarantees to Czechoslovakia he would cross the floor of the House, a move in which it is believed he would be followed by 50 Government supporters, and then try to form an a.lternative Leftist Government. CABINET DIFFERENCES MR. CHAMBERLAIN FACING DIFFICULTIES. FOUR MAIN FACTORS STATED. LONDON, March 17. The Australian Associated Press says that Mr. Chamberlain’s position to-night is governed by four main factors: (1) Intensification of the differences within the Cabinet; (2) the weakness of the present French Government in conjunction with the division of French public opinion concerning Spain; (3) the urgency of reconvening Cabinet to evolve a declaration on foreign policy; (4) the equal urgency of producing a Government declaration in face of the uneasiness and uncertainties throughout Parliament and the country. Mr. Chamberla. : ’ is clearly confronted with most serious Cabinet differences, and much depends on Cabinet’s next meeting. It is gath ; ered that the differences Mr. Chamberlain is striving to overcome have occurred on the .ssue that Britain should make a declaration of her readiness to take a definite stand against the dictators. It is feared that, even if Mr. Chamberlain re-unites the existing Administration, public opinion in its present mood would force the Government into a dangerous short-view policy of facing up to the dictators immediately. One of Mr. Chamberlain’s greatest difficulties is the uncertainty of France’s political situation. It is understood chat a sharp division of public opinion exists in France in connection with intervention in Spain. Many people, including the French General Staff, oppose intervention, and consequently the present Administration’s desire to intevene in no way represents a United France. SIXTY-NINTH BIRTHDAY CHAMBERLAIN ASSURED OF LOYALTY Received March 18, 11.40 p.m. LONDON, March 18. Mr Chamberlain, who is 69 to-day, received a congratulatory message signed by almost every Government supporter in the House o£ Commons, assuring him of their "whole-hearted respect, admiration and confidence,” and pledging him their "unqualified loyalty in the heavy burdens he so courageously has undertaken.” CANADA’S POSITION PRIME MINISTER REFUSES STATEMENT OTTAWA, March 17. Declaring that unless Canada desires to become involved in developments in Europe and Asia it is inadvisable to make representations which might appear to have the contrary aim, the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. W. Mackenzie King, refused in the House of Commons to-day to be drawn into a discussion regarding warlike activities in Europe and to assure London of Canadian support. Questions asked from many quarters demanded a statement on the Government’s policy, and urged either the removal of the embargo against the shipment of arms to Spain or an extension of the embargo to Italy and Germany. The Prime Minister stated that tremendous events were occurring, and nothing should be done risking embarrassing the British Government and likely to be misconstrued by some country involved. It was true that the Government had advices from London. The nature of such confirm the wisdom of saying nothing. A statement might create wrong inferences. The Prime Minister added that communications from London were being continued only as information, not consultations*