STRIKING SCENE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 140, 14 May 1940, Page 7

STRIKING SCENE

A UNITED HOUSE. SUPPORT EOR PREAIIER. Received Alay 14, 11.45 a.m. nONDON, Alay 13. In the House of Commons tremendous cheers rang in the Chamber as Air Churchill entered the House. Mr Chamberlain also received a terrific ovation. Air Churchill said: “The AVar Cabinet is formed of five members representing the nation’s unity. I trust that when Parliament again meets the Administration will be complete in all respects.” Air Churchill sat down amid loud cheering. Air Churchill said he had considered it in the public interest that the House should meet at once to approve ttnuew Government. By 381 votes to nil the House ex pressed confidence in Air Churchill ? Government in a division forced by Air J. Alaxton He received the support of only one other Independent. Labour Party member, and since they had to act as tellers no votes were recorded against the resolution. After Air Churchill’s speech Air Lees Smith, speaking from the 1 position normally occupied by Air C. R. Attle* on the Opposition side, said : “I have been asked by my colleagues to. follow the Prime Alinister because it would be a pity if there were no response to the striking. Stirling, and noble words he has addressed to the nation. Also, I have been asked to do so in order to state immediately that, ot coii’-se. we support this resolution.” Air Lees Smith informed the House of the approval given bv the Labour Party Conference bv 2,400 000 votes to 170 000 to the. action of the Labour leaders in joining the new all-party Administration. “That does appear to me as a striking denionstration of national unity,” he said. “If Hitler imagined for a moment that the debate and division last week showed any sign of lack of unify let him contemplate what has happened in the last few days. I cannot think that in any part of our lives any of us can have imagined two days more dramatic than have occurred since the House last adjourned. On that day a tremendous moment had come. The death struggle had begun, and while this has been going on we have established a new AA 7 ar Cabinet with tlie new Defence Alinisters 1 all at their ■ posts. ■ “I do not believe there is any other form of government which could have carried through so great a change so smoothly and in so short a space of time. It has convinced me that our form of Parliamentary Government is the most civilised in peace and is the most formidable weapon of control in war.” STRENGTH OF DEMOCRACY. Sir Perc.v Harris expressed the confidence of the Opposition Liberals in the new Government. The Government and the nation were showing the world that Democracy would more effectively than its enemies wage a totalitarian war. - “AA r e are convinced that a free Parliament, instead of being a weakness, :<i strength, proving a safety valve lor the expressing of opinion and enabling the Government effectively to carry out its great duties. The Nazis will yet learn it is dangerous to drive criticism underground.” ? 1 After) Mr Maxton had announced his opposition to the new Governinent, Mr: Lloyd George, as the “father of the House,” expressed his gratification at the elevation, of Air Churchill to the Premiership at a. very critical and terrible moment. In his judgment, tlie sacrifices of Britain and the British Commonwealth could confidently be given with Air Churchill in the position of supreme authority.-

PREMIER’S RESOLVE. Moving the adjournment until May 21. Mr Churchill promised to consider the possibility of a.n early debate oil the military situation. He said: “I am moat anxious, indeed resolved, to carry the House of Commons along with the Government at every stage of our fortunes as they unfold. It is by the strength of the House that we shall largely be sustained in the conflict.”