OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1939, Page 7

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

MR CHAMBERLAIN REVIEWS POSITION. MATTER SUBJECT OF MUCH * MISREPRESENTATION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.53 a.m.) RUGBY, April 5. The statement attributed to Lord Stanhope implying that special measures had been taken last night in the Navy to man anti-aircraft guns, which caused some sensation in the Press here today and which has been the subject of a great deal of misrepresentation in certain quarters abroad was put in its proper perspective in a House of Commons statement by Mr Chamberlain, when replying to a question by Mr Greenwood: “I have seen Lord Stanhope this morning,” said Mr Chamberlain, “and he explained to me the circumstances in which the remarks were made, which apparently created some sensation. The occasion was the initiation of a new scheme in connection With showing films in the Navy. My noble friend’s speech was unpremeditated and it is quite untrue, as suggested, that he invited the Press to give special prominence to it. In the course of his remarks, my noble friend drew attention to the fact that there was not a full attendance, as some of the -men had been retained on board their own ships in readiness to man their guns, as has been the normal practice in time of tension. No other orders have been given by the Admiralty than that this practice should not be relaxed even on so special an occasion.”

Mr Chamberlain then dealt with the circumstances in which the newspapers were officially requested to abstain from publishing Lord Stanhope’s reported remarks. “I was informed in the course of the evening that considerable comment had been aroused by an earlier report on the wireless of what my noble friend had said,” said Mr Chamberlain. “I understood this report had not been broadcast in this country, though it had been on the Empire broadcast. Since it seemed to me likely to be treated as, in fact, it has been treated as sensational matter, whereas there was no reason or foundation for any sensation, I gdve directions that the Press should be asked not to publish the account of Lord Stanhope’s speech or if they did publish it, not to ascribe, to it any particular importance. Apparently, my efforts to spare the public unnecessary agitation were not altogether successful but the incident will at any rate serve to demonstrate the constant readiness of the Navy for all eventualities.” Lord Stanhope himself made a statement in the House of Lords on lines similar to that of Mr Chamberlain, at the conclusion of which he said: “I can only express my keen regret that any remarks of mine, emphasising the readiness of the Navy to meet all eventualities, even when as now. Easter leave was being given, should have added to the work of Mr Chamberlain or caused concern to anyone else.” RESIGNATION OFFERED. MR CHAMBERLAIN DECLINES TO ACCEPT IT. 'lndependent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) LONDON, April 5. The “Evening Standard" says Lord Stanhope offered his resignation this morning, but Mr Neville Chamberlain declined it.