ALLEGED BLUNDER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1938, Page 8

ALLEGED BLUNDER

MR MACDONALD’S EMPIRE SPEECH MAY CAUSE BEWILDERMENT. ACCORDING TO THE “DAILY MAIL.” By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, December 14. The “Daily Mail,” in a leader, says that amazed bewilderment will be the immediate reaction throughout the Empire to Mr Malcolm MacDonald’s speech. It is almost unbelievable, says the paper, that any Minister, least of all the Secretary for the Dominions and Colonies, should lend colour to such prognostications. The references to the unity of the Empire in times of danger are welcome, but are scarcely sufficient to wipe out the painful effect of the pessimistic passages. “Mr MacDonald has committed something worse than a bad indiscretion; he has definitely blundered. New Zealand. Australia, and Canada, senders of inspiring messages during the crisis, will read the speech with incredulity.” “CLEAR ADMISSION” GERMAN PAPER’S COMMENT. EMPIRE TENDING TO CRACK UP. (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) BERLIN, December 14. The “Angriff,” commenting on Mr MacDonald’s speech, says it is a clear admission of the tendency of the British Empire to crack up. The Dominions’ scepticism is principally due to their positions in the event of war. It is easy to find reasons for a secession tendency and also easy to cope with it.