EXPECTANT PUBLIC.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 134, 7 May 1940, Page 7

EXPECTANT PUBLIC.

DEBATE IN THE COMAIONS,

(From Daventry.) To-morrow’s debate in the House of Commons regarding the campaign in Norway is expected to produce .not only full details of the campaign but also some indication of the future plan of the Allies. The debate is expected to last two days. It will be opened by Air Chamberlain, who will be followed by Mr Attlee and Sir Archibald Sinclair, Leaders of the Labour and Liberal Opposition. Air Chamberlain is himself expected to present a general picture ot the events in Norway, and this will be filled out by Air Churchill. Air Oliver Stanley and Sir Samuel Hoare are likely to add to the discussion. The newspapers make little conjecture on how the debate is likely to go, but they comment freely on the way the Norwegian “affair” was conducted. Alost of them insist on the necessity for realism. Typical comment is that of one paper which, says: “The public is waiting with an open mind but is perplexed by various questions to which it expects an answer. It may be that the Government has a complete answer, in which case it will continue to enjoy the confidence of the public. In any case, the expedition to Norway had to be attempted. It consolidated Norwegian resistance- and gave the Allies time to secure a foothold in the north.” There is little suggestion that the Government was wrong to have taken the steps it- did in Norway, but the Daily Herald comments: “If the Government knew of the difficulties that would be encountered, it should not luive made such optimistic speeches.”

The Times devotes its comment to the organisation and machinery of government, heading its article with the title, “A Warning and an Opportunity.” It states that one of the main effects on the public of the withdrawal from Norway lias been to stiffen determination to make greater efforts than before. With this public opinion to back it the Government could well have a further stocktaking of its organisation and machinery. Among the suggestions it makes is that the main Cabinet Alinisters should have deputies.