BRITISH POLITICS

Taihape Daily Times, 1 May 1918, Page 4

BRITISH POLITICS

MEDDLING POLITICIANS. T _ ij. ;■, SERIOUS CHARGES IN HOUSE LONDON, April 29. In the House of Commons, Mr*. Pringle raised the question of Sir David Henderson and Sir Hugh Trenchard’s resignations from the air service. He declared that the House should be informed of the differences between Lord Rothermere and Sir Hugh Trenchard. Lord Hugh Cecil protested against amateur strategists in the Cabinet. Mr. Lloyd George denied that Cabinet Ministers suggested strategy to Sir Hugh Trenchard. Lord Hugh Cecil replied that Mr* Lloyd George cared only for his. own retention in office.

Mr. Lloyd George again denied any Cabinet interference with Sir Hugh Trenchard, and demanded that LorfHugh Cecil withdraw his Pensive suggestion.

Lord Hugh Cecil refused to withdraw, and declared that Sir Hugh Trenchard was indispensk^Te. Mr. Llpyd George admitted Sir Hugh Trenchard’s remarkable services and denounced Commoners serving in the forces using service information for the purpose of criticising the civil and military command. Many disputes would be settled but for. political interference. Mr. Lloyd George said Sir Hugh Trenchard was not the best chief of" Staff, but he would be given a position of power in the Air Force. Mr. Weir concurred in. this decision. Mr. Asquith regarded Sir. Hugh-. Trenchard’s resignation as a regrettable incident, which the Government should have avoided. Sir Edward Carson declared thatSlr Hugh Trenchard had! been driven, out. -Many air officers told him the soul had left the Air Service when Sir Hugh Trenchard went. Mr. Baird, in a reassuring statement. said the number and quality of* our pilots was steadily increasing* The losses in March equalled thosC'in April 1917, when we were engaged' winning air supremacy on the Somme, Germany’s air losses were three and' a-half times as many as in Ap&L ISflffc Mr. Salmond said he satisfied with the response to*ail his demands.