CHURCHILL AS LEADER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1942, Page 2

CHURCHILL AS LEADER

HAS BROUGHT US AS FAR AS WE HAVE COME MR W. M. HUGHES IN DEFENCE. FAILURES OF GENERALS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) SYDNEY, June 2G. “I would rather lose more battles than lose Mr Churchill, for he it is who has brought us as far as we have come,” said Mr W. M. Hughes, commenting on the criticism of Mr Churchill in the British House of Commons. “Mr Churchill was responsible for ranging America on our side and for the agreement with Russia,” declared Mr Hughes. “He is not to be blamed for the tactical errors of his men; be can only choose the best men available, and if they have failed, upon him rests no responsibility. “How many battles did we lose in the last war? Were the sins of Haig visited upon the Government then? No. Our generals have been beaten in Libya because Rommel is a better general.” Mr Hughes said that time and time again in the last war everything seemed lost, but apparently hopeless positions had been retrieved. The British were stubborn fighters and in Egypt Rommel had the hardest part of his task all ahead of him. CENSURE MOTION NO SUPPORT BY BRITISH LABOUR PARTY. LONDON, June 25. Labour members of the House of Coffimons at a special meeting decided tc oppose the censure motion. Another meeting will be held on June 30, when it will be decided whether they will put down a motion asking for an inquiry into the loss of Tobruk and related matters.