NEXT MOVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1940, Page 5

NEXT MOVE

AWAITED WITH EAGER INTEREST

Gowning street crowd CHEERS PREMIER.

HOUSE TO RESUME ON MAY 23.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, May 9.

The Government’s next, move alter yesterday’s sensational debate is eagerly awaited. Lord Halifax called on Mr Chamberlain at No 10 Downing Street early today, after which the Prime tor drove to the House of Commons. He smiled broadly as a crowd of 100 people in Downing Street cheered him.

Mr. Chamberlain had a busy morning at his home. He did not take his usual morning walk, and he is reported to have consulted a number of other advisers.

Mr. Chamberlain was greeted with cheers from his supporters when he resumed his seat in Parliament. The House sat for only an hour and passed the first reading of a Bill introduced by the Home Secretary, which proposes to strengthen the hands of the authorities against treachery and sabotage. The Premier promised the House that, if desired, there would be a general debate on the conduct of the war or any phase of it when the House resumed after May 23. He pointed out that the Speaker had power to summon Parliament before that date if necessary.

The lateness of the debate last night has prevented a full-toned expression of opinion from the European countries. Though almost all the neutral Press described the Commons vote as a moral defeat for Mr. Chamberlain, at the same time they express admiration for the frankness with which the whole situation was ventilated. The London “Evening News” and “Star” editorially interpret the vote as marking the end of Mr. Chamberlain’s leadership. M. REYNAUD’S POSITION MAY DEPEND ON EVENTS. IN BRITAIN. LONDON, May 9. The Paris correspondent of the “News Chronicle” says that political circles consider that the House of Commons debate is as critical for Premier Reynaud as for Mr Chamberlain, declaring that the fate of his Cabinet is linked with Mr Chamberlain’s, and I if Mr Chamberlain resigns, M. Reynaud will do the same.