STRONGER WAR EFFORT

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21664, 26 February 1942, Page 5

STRONGER WAR EFFORT

DEMAND IN THE COMMONS TASK OF NEW CABINET (Omnal Wireless) (Received Feb. 26, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 25 The debate on the war situation was continued in the House of Commons today. The main line emerged, as in yesterday’s speeches, of a desire by members for a much stronger national war effort. Mr Vernon Bartlett said he believed the new Government had a great chance of reviving the spirit of enthusiasm, to the disappearance of which almost every member who had spoken in the debate had drawn attention. He thought there could be no real national effort without the conscription of every man and woman in Britain, with a basic minimum wage.

Mr Hore-Belisha said the implications of total war had not yet been accepted. Industry should be as much fighting in arms as the military services. He welcomed the reconstruction of the Government but said it must stand or fall by the manner in which it met the needs of the war.

Mr Vyvyne Adams (Con.) asked the House not to underestimate the Japanese, who in some ways were more , terrible than the Germans, because their needs were less and they were more indifferent to individual safety. Several members again referred to the need for the speedy declaration of the Government policy on the Indian question.