24 JUNE 1938, Page 3

The Prime Minister may have many qualities, but urbanity is

not one of them. He seemed to let loose a long pent-up fury upon the unfortunate Mr. Mander, when in an adjourn- ment debate he raised the question of the " fundamental difference of opinion between the Prime Minister and the late Foreign Secretary," quoting certain passages which had appeared in the Canadian and American Press. Mr. Mander was accused of " pbsing as an enfant terrible," of indulging his " extensive and peculiar sense of humour by endeavouring to stir up mischief," and of " fishing around." Why, one asks, should the right to fish be the exclusive preserve of Mr. Chamberlain ? It seems reasonable that when state- ments are made in the Press on the " highest authority," the Prime Minister should have an opportunity of denying the authenticity of the statements. But he refused to admit or to deny their authenticity on the grounds that it was better not to pay any attention to them.

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