BRITAIN’S WAR EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 43, 14 November 1940, Page 10

BRITAIN’S WAR EFFORT

Uneasiness In Parliament And Press (Received November 14. 12.-15 a.m.) LONDON, November 13. An undercurrent of uneasiness about Britain's war effort, is discernible in Parliament and in sections of tlie British I‘ress.

Critics complain, first, of failure to unite the nation for total war; secondly, of a lack of aggressive spirit: thirdly, of weak administration by some Ministers: fourthly, of undue optimism regarding production; fifthly, of failure to grapple with the shipping’ losses, and. sixthly, of slacking by dockers.

Regarding’ this last problem, the "Daily Express” publishes an interview with a representative shipowner who bluntly declares that the dockers at his port are slacking. Whereas a gang used to unload IGO tons a day. it now handles only 110 tons equivalent to a daily loss of 15.000 tons of food, materials ami munitions from overseas. It now takes live days and a half to unload a ship witli GOOO tons of cargo where it formerly occupied three days. The shipowner (mints out that the men will not work on Saturday afternoons but will work on Sundays when double pay is assured. Tlie “Daily Express" consulted impartial authorities who confirmed the alarming falling off in production. It also interviewed many dockers and ascertained Unit hundreds were content to earn just enough for their wants and spend the rest of the week on the dole.