NORWAY DEBATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1940, Page 6

NORWAY DEBATE

SOME SUPPLEMENTARY DETAILS

MR LLOYD GEORGE'S ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT.

■EVERYBODY DISSATISFIED.’’

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON. May 8. Speaking in the House of Commons debate on Norway. Sir Samuel Hoare said there 'was no foundation for rumours that a British squadron arrived in Norway without petrol and that the machines were destroyed before they went into action. Mr D. Lloyd George, in his speech, said: “We want real action, not sham action. Herr Hitler's greatest triumph is that he has put Germany in a better strategical position and put us in greater jeopardy. Mr Chamberlain has met Herr Hitler in peace and in war and has always been—(Loud cheers). We were too late in Norway, although we had warning. Norway brings German planes and submarines two hundred miles nearer. It is a grave menace. We are infinitely worse off. Our promissory notes are now rubbish in the market. We must restore our prestige if the war is to be won. We are in the worst strategic position in which this country has ever been placed. We are proud to -read of the gallantry of our troops. All the more shame that we should make fools ol'| tnem. Everybody is dissatisfied in knowing that everything is being done hall-heartedly. ineffectively and linin'lelligenlly." Mr Lloyd George sat down amid loud Opposition cheers and Government. counter-cheers. Mr A. Duff Cooper said: ‘T will vote against the Government. This is not a time when any man lias a right 1o stand like Pontius Pilate and " take neither side." Mr Duff Cooper added: “It would bo tar bettor not to have a division. I had hoped that the Government would be sufficiently impressed by the debate to make some of the drastic reforms that are so urgently needed.’’ Discussing Mr Winston Churchill’s nevv position. Mr Duff Cooper said: “It k; fundamentally unwise to put one Sei vice Minister in a superior position to others. How can disputes between two Departments be referred to an arbiter who is head of one of them’’’ Referring to Italy, he said: “I was very sorry at the denial of a report tha... our Ambassador had been sent to vjignor Mussolini with a stern message. it is over three weeks since Count Grandi said Italy could not long remain an observer. If a man of such importance makes such a statement our Ambassador should go to Signor Mussolini and ask the meaning of the statement. (Loud cheers.) We should send leading statesmen to the Balkans to tell them their salvation lies in co-operation with England and France.”

Sir Stafford Cripps said: “I found in the United States nothing but scathing criticism of the British Government. Here there is no conviction of success, only doubt, despondency and uncertainty. I am certain Mr Churchill intended to risk surface vessels, as well as submarines, in Norway but there was a change of policy, influenced perhaps by fears that the loss of shlps might bring in MussolFREEDOM OF ACTION TAKEN BY LIBERAL MEMBER. (Received This Day. 11.5 a.m.) ix/r tt r, LONDON, May 8. Mr I-I. W. Butcher (National Liberal) has resigned from the post of Parharnentary Private Secretary to Mr R H. Eernays. M.P.. . W ho is ParliamenSecretary to the Ministry of I ran sport. Mr Butcher’s letter, explaining his ecrsion. -says he feels that unless the ' , JS co "ducted with greater speed and decision, peace will be delayed and the price of victory will be higher •rom 'h nCCes " a 7- Hc for release II om his post in order that he may lave greater freedom to support a more effective prosecution of the wait IN THE LORDS CRITICISM AND DEFENCE. LORD HALIFAX ON AMATEUR STRATEGISTS. (Received This Day. 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 8. In the House of Lords, Lord Strabol-' gi said the Government's conduct of the Norwegian operations was a symptom of a disease which must be treated quickly or it might become chronic. They were holding Narvik and abandoning the rest of the kingdom, including all its wealth, industries and resources. He added that the Grand Fleet could have gone to Oslo Fiord and driven away the lighter German, forces in the two days between the capture of Oslo and the arrival of German reinforcements. Field-Marshal Lord Birdwood hoped that our men daily and nightly would raid the German communications in Norway, because nothing upset troops more. Norway was not a disaster, and he believed it would result in great success for us. Lord Snell said that, despite apologetic statements, the Government wa.s weaker today than yesterday. Wo had i f habilitated Herr Hiller in the minds of the Gorman people. Herr Hiller missed the bus. but took the plane, as, it was quicker. Viscount Halifax said: “It is impossible for anyone to draw a distinction between the Prime Minister and other members of the War Cabinet, who share full responsibility. We have only one purpose—to win the war. I am . not under any delusion about Germany's strength. Our war effort will ( impose an immense strain on our staying power. We must marshal our ef- ■ forts without dissipation of vital ener- , gy. Nothing is more likely to lead to . disaster than amateur strategists who ' shout for immediate action.' 1