SUNKEN SUBMARINE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20822, 5 June 1939, Page 8

SUNKEN SUBMARINE

DEMAND IN LONDON WHO WAB RESPONSIBLE? STRONG PRESS COMMENT {United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 5, 1 p.m.) LONDON, June 4 The Daily Mail urges an early answer to the question: “ Who is blameworthy for the disaster?" and asks: “Where were Lord Stanhope, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and Mr G. H. Shakespeare. Parliamentary Secretary for the Admiralty, while the nation waited with bated breath?" It demands the appointment of a competent Minister to supply information in such emergencies. The Daily Herald insists on the public being informed, and demands that if the Admiralty inquiry is private members of Parliament must be supplied with the report, in order to debate it. The News-Chronicle demands authoritative information. The paper says that in the course of statements Mr Woodward, secretary to the Cammed Laird Company, explains that the Admiralty was the sole source of news, and gave available information direct to the press. He added that no one person or party was in actual charge of the rescue work, which was done cooperatively by everyone on the sea. No time was lost in getting the rescue gear to the Thetis. The Daily Telegraph deprecates the seeking of personal scapegoats, but criticises the official reticence to the press, and insists that nothing be hushed up and nobody be shielded. Fund for Dependents The Lord Mayor of London is opening a fund for the families of the victims. REBCUE WORK HAMPERED DEARTH OF INFORMATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 5, 3 p.m.) LONDON, June 4 The Times points out that every adverse circumstance hampered the rescue work.

It adds that the criticism is mainly not supported by technical knowledge, though there was certainly a dearth of information.