BURDEN TOO GREAT

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21655, 16 February 1942, Page 4

BURDEN TOO GREAT

MR CHURCHILL’S TASKS PRESS URGES SHARING INFUSION OF NEW BLOOD (United Press Assn.—bice. Tel. copyritfit) LONDON, Feb. 15 Anxiety in Britain over the reverses of the past week is reflected in the London Sunday newspapers. These reverses, they consider, must increase Britain’s determination to secure a still greater war effort, and a more vigorous war strategy. While there is no desire for a change in the office of Prime Minister, it is thought that Mr Churchill should appoint a separate Minister of Defence, an office which he at present combines with that of Prime Minister. “Mr Churchill stands alone, but he is standing too much alone,” states the Sunday Times. The newspaper explains that Mr Churchill has shouldered a great burden for two years, a burden which has increased considerably since he took it over. “The stress cannot be prolonged without danger not only to himself, but to all of us.” The Sunday Times considers that the Prime Ministership and Ministry of Defence should be two offices, not one. Maximum Speed? The Sunday Chronicle states: “People are saying and asking: ‘Are we directing our war effort toward victory with the maximum speed and effort?’ They feel that the Prime Minister is taking too much of the direction of the war upon himself. One man cannot do all this. There is reason for the demand that he should divorce the office of Minister of Defence from that of Prime Minister.” Writing in the Observer, Mr J. L. Garvin, states that the public is disturbed by events. “The country desires no other leader than Mr Churchill. It thanks him and it loves him, but it will not be satisfied until there is an infusion of fresh blood into the War Cabinet and the Government as a whole.” Magic of Oratory “We must break loose from the stupifying magic of Mr Churchill’s oratory,” said Mr Willis, secretary of the London Trade Council, in an address to delegates. “Fine words don’t win battles. Whenever we suffer a reverse we are treated to a superb example vi mastery of the English language .te nation being drugged by high- -riding phrases.” The Trade Council delegates passed a resolution severely criticising the conduci of the war and calling on the Government to eliminate vested interests, which were blamed for holding up production. A meeting of his constituents gave Mr Hore Belisha, formerly Secretary for War, a unanimous vote of confidence in connection with his withdrawal from the Liberal-National Party.