MR CHAMBERLAIN RESIGNS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 138, 11 May 1940, Page 7

MR CHAMBERLAIN RESIGNS

MR CHURCHILL PREMIER ALL-PARTY GOVERNMENT FORMATION IN PROGRESS (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Extraordinary.) Received May 11, 10.30 a.m. London, May 10. The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) has resigned to enable the formation of an all-party Government. Mr Winston Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty) becomes the Prime Minister. ( A dramatic meeting of the Labour Party executive at Bournemouth this afternoon .decided to share responsibility as a full partner in the liew Government under a new Prime Minister. Mr C! It. Attlee and Mr A. Greenwood immediately rushed to London and saw Mr Chamberlain, who conveyed the decision to the Cabinet, after which he went to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the King.. The King received Mr Churchill in audience for five minutes after the departure of Mr Chamberlain. '

LABOUR STATEMENT. Messrs Attlee and Greenwood made the following statement: “The Labour Party is convinced that a drastic reconstruction of the Government is/ necessary in order to win the war, but, confronted with the latest series of abominable aggressions by Hitler, reaffirms its determination to do its utmost to achieve victory, and calls, on members to devote all their energies to this end and stand firm and united through whatever trials and sacrifices lie ahead.” i An official statement from No. 10 Downing Street states: “The Prime Minister and Mr Churchill desire that all Ministers should remain at their posts and discharge their functions with full freedom and responsibility while the necessary arrangements for the formation of the new administration are being made.”