MR EDEN'S POSITION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1939, Page 6

MR EDEN'S POSITION

PLEA FOR NATIONAL UNITY. In the light of the events of the past year the circumstances of Mr Eden’s resignation seem almost unintelligible, writes Mr Ronald Cartland in reviewing a published collection of the ex-Foreign Secretary's speeches. From the moment that he resigned a vast number of people in this country looked to Mr Eden to express their beliefs. These speeches show why he has had, and still has, such an appeal to so many people, irrespective of party allegiance. “"When the whole future of our civilisation may be at stake, who cares about party labels?” he asked in 1936; and again and again comes the plea for national unity and for a nation-wide attempt to build an efficient democracy. His speeches show the deep concern that lie has for faith in democracy, and at times he rises to almost Baldwinian heights, particularly in his speech on St. George's Day, on England, and the speech which he delivered in the United States. Yet his language seems to lack the power of expression that the world expects from a leader. There is a remarkable speech delivered in June, 1938, the first after his resignation, in which he pictured the dangers ahead and called for a gigantic and united effort. Contrast that with the speech made in the House of Commons after Munich. Contrast them, again, with the speeches delivered at the same time by Mr Churchill. Mr Eden seems often just to miss the right phrase, and to fail to express in terms of force the strength of his sentiments. His vocabulary is strangely limited.