CONSULTATIONS WITH PREMIER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 137, 10 May 1940, Page 7

CONSULTATIONS WITH PREMIER

DISSENTERS FORM A GROUP

(United Press Association.—By Electric .Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received May 10, 9.10 a.m. LONDON, May 9. The Leaders of the Parliamentary Lab&nr Party, Messrs C. It. Attlee and A. Greenwood, consulted with Mr Chamberlain for some time to-day, as a sequel to yesterday’s vote in '. the House of Commons. Lord Halifax and Mr Churchill were also present at the conference. A group of thirty Government dissenters, formed by Major Sir G. E. Davies and Mr It. J. G. Boothby; met to-day and elected Mr L. C. M. S. Amery as chairman. It was decided to fully support any Prime Minister who could form a genuine National Government. Mr Tv Levy, Sir H. G. Williams, Sir It. G. Clarry, and Sir G. G. Mitcheson later placed their views before Mr Chamberlain. It is understood they represent only a small section of the Government Back-Benchers Committee. The Daily Mail says that Mr Chamberlain will see His Majesty at Buckingham Palace to-day to discuss the position o| his Government.

A STROKE WITHHELD. Importance is attached to the speech i of Commander R. T. Bower in yesterday’s debate because he is a serving I' member of the Naval Staff. Com- | mander Bower said that when the | Germans failed at Narvik it,was time | ■ for a thunderstroke, which might have | retrieved the whole situation and turnI ed the tables. Our ships were ready to !' take action, but a dead hand from above descended and stopped them. “Wild horses-would not drag from me whose hand it was. All I say is it came' from above,”- declared Commander Bower. 6 In the House to-day Mr A. B. BaxI ter accused Mr Lloyd George of enI couraging #Hitler at several critical | moments in the last few years. He !? urged Mr Lloyd George to reform, i Mr Lloyd George replied that the 1 creation of the terrible German power * was duo to our unfulfilment of our undertakings to the democratic German Governments. “Since 1922 I have urged the conquering Powers to carry out the pledges given at Versailles,” he added. The House adjourned at 4 p.m. When the House adjourned Mr Chamberlain stated that he would be glad to arrange for a debate on the economic aspects of the war when the House resumes, the session to be held in secret.