MR WINSTON CHURCHILL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 89, 15 December 1913, Page 6

MR WINSTON CHURCHILL.

OBJECTS TO CRITICISM.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.]

London, December 13

When invited to attend a ' Navy League' luncheon to be held on December 16, in honor of Captain Halsey and the officers of H.M.S. New Zealand, Mr Winston Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty), demurred, alleging that partisan speeches, are not suited to professedly non-party, ,eatherings. He .instanced the Karl of Selborne's speech on October 21, in which reference was made to, Mr Churchill's "naval holiday" proposal and to the British naval standard. The Navy, League replied that no member of the Executive Committee or any officer of. the League had ever criticised the Admiralty j»<( such an occasion. The proceedings at the present luncheon would be''wholly devoted to a welcome showing the Motherland's appreciation of the kindness and hospitality which had been extended to the, officers and crew of H.M.S. New j Zealand during their visit to New Zealand.

Thereupon the invitation was accepted by Mr Churchill provided that the Admiralty is allowed to publish this correspondence.