CONSCRIPTION?

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1939, Page 5

CONSCRIPTION?

REPORTED MOVE IN BRITAIN STATEMENTS IN FRENCH PRESS. CABINET SPLIT ALLEGED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 26. The French Press confidently asserts that Mr Chamberlain gave M. Bonnet, French Foreign Minister, definitely to understand that some form of conscription would be introduced in Britain soon.

Official quarters in Whitehall are reticent, but a section of the British Sunday Press asserts that the Cabinet is split from top to bottom on the question.

Sir John Simon, Home Secretary, is stated to be leading the opposition to the proposal, which is backed by Lord Chatfield, Defence Minister, Sir Kingsley Wood, Aip Minister, and Mr HoreBelisha, War Minister. JOINT SECURITY CONSULTATIONS PROCEEDING. SUCCESS OF ANGLO-FRENCH i TALKS. I British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 25. Consultations between the interested Powers'on the proposed joint security declarations are proceeding, and in this connection much satisfaction is expressed on both sides of the English Channel with the results of the AngloFrench talks during the visit of President Lebrun and M. Bonnet to London. New precision has been given in their conversations to the relations between the two countries. The Soviet Ambassador, M. Maisky, has had several interviews at the Foreign Office during" the past few days, and last night Count Radzynski, Polish Ambassador, saw Lord Halifax, and further clarified the Polish attitude. Callers at the Foreign Office today included M. Corbin, French Ambassador, and Doctor Kordt, German charge d’Affaires. Accompanied by Commissioner for Eire, Mr -De Valera, the Premier of Eire, visited Mr Chamberlain today at Chequers.

UNITE AND ACT PERIOD OF DANGEROUS ILLUSION OVER. LEADERSHIP AND VIGOUR DEMANDED. (Received This Dav. 10.50, a.m.) LONDON, March 26. Mr Anthonv Eden, addressing the Men’s Association at Grimsby, declared that the period of facile and dangerous illusion had ended and Britons aware of the issue confronting 'hem and the nature of the forces unleashed. Peace depended upon the determination of Britain’s leadership, and the vigour of its action. Therefore the people’s message to its leader was blunt and urgent, namely:— “The time for argument is past. Th«e are nM davs for bickerinn, delay and hesitation, i here has been enough of that. Unite now and act now. Waste not an hour. Act so as to convince the world that Britain is awake and in earnest..