PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 6

PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT

REPLY TO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTION

"We have no desire to enter into a controversy with either Mr. Nimmo or the Chamber of Commerce over the invitation extended to the chamber to support a request, for a National Government and the postponement of the elections," says the People's Movement in a statement issued today, "However, we must enter a protest against the statement made by Mr. Nimmo that we had accused the chamber of retarding the war effort.

"There was nothing in our comments which could be construed into such an accusation. ' We believe, on the contrary, that the members of the Chamber individually are doing all in their power to help our war effort. We still regret that the chamber will not support a similar request to that made by them to the Government last year.

"The war situation since that period has become increasingly grave. If the chamber's action was justified then, surely the need for such a move is greater today. National unity is imperative if we are to play our part in . the war. There is not only the question of the actual cost and the stirring up of sectional strife, but also the fact that whichever side won in a General Election approximately 50 per cent, of the people would be against the Government.

"How could such a position make for unity of effort?

"The inference made by Mr. Nimmo that our action is party political is stoutly denied. The move for a National Government and the postponement of the election .is going forward and receiving strong support. It will, we feel sure, receive the backing of many individual members-of the Chamber of Commerce." ■