LABOUR CRITICISM

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20737, 22 February 1939, Page 7

LABOUR CRITICISM

I I | BRITAIN’S LOST ALLIES PLANS INADEQUATE WHY LEAGUE FAILED •United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 22, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 21 - Speaking after Mr Chamberlain in the defence debate, the Leader of the Labour Opposition, Mr C. R. Attlee, repudiated the “seasoned effrontery” of the suggestion that his party had gone back on the advocacy of the League policy. lie suggested the time for the Premier's concern about disarmament was seven years ago. The present scope of armaments was a measure of the culpability of the policy which had allowed the Disarmament Conference to fail. Mr Attlee wanted to know if the defence plans and programme had been brought fully up-to-date. The original plan was drawn up when a collective system still assured them of being associated in defence with nearly 50 friendly nations but now they were reduced to a single ally. He criticised Ibe Government’s food 1 plans as inadequate and urged again ■ I lie creation of a Ministry of Supply. ; Finally, lie contended the full strength . of the country in man-power and ser- , vice was not being enlisted because ! so many were discouraged and hesi- | taut, feeling the Government was incapable of making a stand for things ■ they believed Britain should stand for j in the world.