1939-04-28 — Page 7

敷

THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 28, 1989.

Page

MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S

APPEAL

Pleads Lack Of

TO

LABOUR

Impressive Speech In House On Conscription

Time For Party Consultation

London, To-day.

Moving the Government motion in the House of Commons yesterday welcoming compulsory service, the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Cham- berlain, dealt with the question of consultation with other parties, and explained it was not the Government's intention to keep them in the dark.

Under the pressure which the Government had been working there had been no time for con- sultations.

If the decision had been delayed until next week, it would have been taken as being related to Hitler's speech to-day.

men

Replying to Mr. C. R. Attlee and would postpone during what (Labour Opposition leader), Mr. might be vital weeks those Chamberlain said he considered it sures we think necessary. of national importance that the "It would also check the output House arrive at an immediate de- of munitions vital to us, and would cision.

distract the attention of those res- ponsible for Government depart ments"

There could be a debate next week on the second reading of the Bill, the text of which would be issued early next week.

RELEASE

Mr. Chamberlain continued: "It Dealing with the charge that he is for the House of Commons to had broken his pledges, Mr. Cham-say whether they feel they ought berlain quoted his previous state to hold me to my pledge on con- ments on conscription, and added:scription or release me from it.

CHANGED CONDITIONS

"I trust they will confirm the "On two of those occasions, con- view I expressed that if they do,

CONSCRIPTION Million

MOTION ADOPTED

London, To-day.

The Government motion on con- scription was adopted by the House of Commons yesterday by 376 votes to 145.

The Labour amendment was de- feated by 380 votes to 143-Reu- ter.

effective we must inspire confidence,

not only in the countries to which

Europe that we meant to carry them we gave assurances but throughout through to the end? (Cheers).

DOUBTS CAST

"We have seen doubts cast upon our determination as to whether we

really did mean business, and evid- ence has been accumulating rapidly in the last week that these doubts are increasing.

to fight to the last French soldier "The jibe that Britain is ready

has been

capital to capital.

bandied about from

"It has been becoming clearer and clearer to us that the whole effort to build up a solid front against this idea of domination by force was being jeopardised by these doubts.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE "Yesterday, Mr. Lloyd George put a question about the number of men who would become available.

Removed From Schedule

London, To-day. SIR John Anderson, the Minister for Civil De-

House of Commons that fence, announced in the

of reserved occupations the provisional schedule

had been overhauled.

As a result, nearly 1,500,000 men have been removed from the schedule, including 630,000 under 38 years of age.

Sir John added that this latter group would be available for service

between 38 and 50 would be avail- in the Territorial Army, whilst men

able for AR.P. work and defence of the coasts.

The Minister intimated that the

introduction of compulsory service might necessitate further revision of the schedule.-Trans-Ocean,

portant.'

-APPEAL TO LABOUR

Mr. Chamberlain concluded with an appeal to the Labour Party, ques-whose fears and doubts, respecting conscription the Prime Minister said, the Government-earnestly-en- deavoured to meet.

"I thought I detected in that tion an intention to belittle what the Government is doing.

ditions were very different to what I am confident the country will be they are to-day. On neither was with me. (Ministerial cheers).

"It would be interesting to know war imminent, and there was no "With regard to the circumstan- if Mr. Lloyd George is in favour question in the minds of anybody ces which constrained the

Govern- of a. large measure of at that time that was likely to lead ment to come to this momentous conscription or whether he is against

conclusion, surely it is not neces- conscription altogether. sary to remind the House that ever since March 29 the situation has radically changed.

to war.

... "Rearmament had not reached the dimensions or the pace which characterises it to-day.

"Then we thought it possible to

"It was after March 29 that we meet all our needs by the volun- felt compelled to give that assur- tary system, though we all realised ance to Poland, which was after- we would have to pursue a vigor-wards followed by similar assur- ous campaign if we were to bring ances to Greece and Rumania. home to the people the need for recruitment.

"It is important in my judgment not to belittle this great departure by his country from one of its most cherished traditions.

A MISTAKE

Mr. Chamberlain emphasised that this was a limited measure designed to meet immediate temporary needs.

He declared: "I do not want to give the idea that I think war is imminent.

"I appeal to members opposite not to be hasty in making an irrevocable decision which might create in other "I do not think that one can readquarters doubts about our deter- the newspapers, and read extracts mination to play our part to the from the foreign press, without rea- | full."-Reuter. "Is there any member of the lising that the statement of the

SPECIAL PROVISION House who does not realise that by Government's intention brought re- Mr. Chamberlain (quoted by Bri- those assurances our liabilities were lief and encouragement to all our tish Wireless) announced it had enormously increased? (Ministerial | friends in Europe.

been specially provided that the cheers).

"It would be a mistake to suppose men who are affected by conscrip- that although the number of men tion will not be sent overseas un- "Is there anyone who does not affected in a single year is not large less and until war breaks out, alter. Nothing is more likely to realise that the purpose of these as- compared with the scale of Contin- when in that respect they would lead the country into disaater than surances was primarily to prevent ental armies, that from the mili- be in the same position as every- that the country should refuse to war, but that if they were to be tary point of view this is not im- body else.

"Since then I have changed my mind." (A Labour member: 'Not for the first timg').

Mr. Chamberlain retorted: "I think everybody has the right to change their mind when conditions

change its mind when conditions

...require it.

NEEDS OF COUNTRY "The fact is that to-day we no longer believe the needs of the country, can be met by the yolun- tary system if that system atanda alone.

"It would mean we could not take measures for protection of the country unless we have a Gen- eral Election.

"I can see that matters might be

- pushed to much, and

the Government will

choles, zbut.. murely. “responsibility would

Opposition.

VITAL

"I would les

stata

that

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