Evening star., 1941-11-12

SCCl 1Ol lllAlCS, tAiC oAbAOOAOAA 40
better than appeared. likely a few
months ago. Our stocks Of coal are
now between two and three million
tons larger than they were q year
ago, and they are far better distrib-
uted.
There are good grounds for believ-
ing we shall come through the VIM
ter all right without having to de-
range the army by having to with
draw miners from their platoons.
There is nothing Hitler would dis
like more than my recital OF these
unassailable but prosaic facts.
There is nothing his regime breads
more than that we should be capable
Of fighting a prolonged war and the
proof of failure of their efforts to
starve us into submission.
In various remarks Deputy Fuehrer
Hess has let fall from time to time
during his sojourn in our midst,
nothing has been more clear than
that Hitler relied upon a Starvation
attack even more than upon lnva-
sion to bring us to our knees.
His hopes were centered upon our
starvation, as his boasts have mace
the world aware.
So far as l941 is concerned those
homes at least have been dashed
to the ground, but this only IN
creases his need to come at us by
direct invasion as soon as he can
screw up his courage and make ar
rangements to take the plunge.
Attack Plan Sure
To Be Well Thought Out.
We must have everything working
forward for the improved weather
of spring so we are well prepared
to meet any scale of attack that can
be directed upon us.
Although we are 1nnmtely
stronger than we were six months
or a year ago, yet at the same time
the enemy has had ample time for
preparation. I am sure II this at
tack is attempted upon us by the
Germans it will be upon a plan
that has been thought out in every
detail with their customary ruth
lessness and thoroughness.
now come to the criticism OF
the government. Sir Percy Harris
said that in war criticism Is the life
blood of democracy. Well, in war,
it is very hard to bring about sue
cesses or very easy to make mis-
takes or to point them out after
they have been made. There was a
custom in ancient China that any
one who wished to criticize the gov
ernment could memorialize the En-
peror, and, providing he followed
it up by committing suicide, very
great respect was paid TO his word
and no ulterior motive was assigned.
1t seems to have BEEN from many
points of view, wise custom, but
certainly would be the last to sug-
gest it should be made retrospective.
Our universal resolve TO keep the
parliamentary institutions in full
activity amid the stress OF war has
been proved.
It is a feat of enormous difficulty
never accomplished in any such
completeness of perfection in his
tory. The government bases itself
upon the House of Commons They
look to the House for aid and COM
fort amid the incalculable perils by
which we are beset. We are entitled
to seek from the House from time to
time formal renewal of their con-
fidence.
This debate on the address fur
nishes the signal outstanding par
liamentary opportunity of the year.
1t is the grand inquest Of the nation.
The fact of passing address in reply
without any amendment is proof to
the nation and to the whole world
that the Kings ministers enjoy the
confidence of Parliament.
Any Amendment
Can Receive Full Debate.
I should like to point out for the
benefit of those outside the House
and in countries abroad who do not
realize the potency of our parlia-
mentary institutions that any
amendment, however seductive,
however misleading. tendentious or
artful. sober or wise, which the wit
or other qualities of man can de-
wise, ctn be put upon the paper
and be thoroughly debated, and if
a division takes place, then every