STILL IN COMMAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1942, Page 3

STILL IN COMMAND

CHURCHILL SATISFIES COMMONS ' HIGH LIGHTS IN SPEECH. REFERENCES TO UNITED STATES. LONDON, July 2. Mr Churchill again proved himself undeniably the leader of the House of Commons. His speech answered the majority of responsible statements by critics. He satisfied the House that the Libyan army was well equipped with men and material, and that, till it lost. 230 tanks in one day of battle, it was even, but thereafter Rommel had the advantage. Mr, Churchill emphasised that he could not explain the military reverse and could only give half the facts. He also left no doubt that he had not interfered- with the decisions of generals or the technicians responsible for designing arms. Mr Churchill began his speech in an air of! tense excitement, speaking after Mr Hore Belisha, whose attack was delivered while the House was steadily filling up. A clash of words between Mr Churchill and Mr Belisha can usually be expected, which probably added something to the undercurrent i f ' expectancy. When Mr Churchill rose' to the accompaniment of cheers, the Chamber had taken on the traditional appearance usual to very big debate, all the benches being packed, while members squatted down on the floor with crossed legs on the vacant space at the end of the Chamber facing the Speaker. Every seat in the Gallery was occupied, the onlookers including the United States, Russian and Chinese Ambassadors, Mr Winant, M. Maisky, and Dr. Wellington Koo, and Mrs Churchill and Miss Mary Churchill. Mr Churchill was grave during the first half-hour when referring to the effect of criticism in America and also the fall of Tobruk, but later he drew laughter when he slashed his critics. He forgot his notes • when confirming the Government’s heavy bomber policy and its effect on Germany, speaking with the warmth of conviction, while, when asking himself whether he would accept an offer of 1000 heavy bombers or dive-bombers, he paused, gazed steadily at the Opposition benches. and then said: “Well. I should take advice,” at which members laughted and cheered. These were repeated when Mr Churchill asked his critics whether he should paint a very gloomy picture of Egypt, and Mr Churchill added emphatically: “I might be wrong.” A noteworthy pasage was his tribute to the American victory over the Japanese aircraft-carriers. .“These splendid American achievements have not received the attention they deserve in this island,” he said. This drew applause.

Encouragement was drawn from the statement that the victories resulted in the relief of the position of India, Australia and New Zealand, allowing reinforcements to be sent to Egypt from England and America. Mr Churchill was undoubtedly surprised and disturbed by the manner in which the American Press plays up criticism voiced in the House of Commons.