IN TIME OF WAR.

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 10

IN TIME OF WAR.

While the present great struggle lasts differences in the Parliamentary arena of this Dominion, must be left for adjustment till a more convenient Reason arrives. That will come when Hitlerism is smashed. In the meantime, the united will of the people of the Empire must be devoted to that one great purpose. Fortunately, unanimity is being exhibited transcending any that was ever shown before in the history of the British race. Two years ago a British Government official, knowing Germany well, said: “ You can make a deal with the German Moderates, but not with the Nazis. Nazism is not a culture. It is a technical war system. If it survives wo shall have to fight some time.” The truth of those remarks is demonstrated to-day. New Zealand’s Labour Government was somewhat slow to realise the dangers that existed, but now that the call to arms has come it is rising to .the occasion. An evidence of this is given in the Emergency Regulations Bill, which, introduced into the House of Representatives on Monday night, passed its third reading yesterday. This measure gives the Government extraordinary powers, enabling it to assume absolute control of practically every phase of our national life. In explaining the objects of the Bill, the Acting Prime Minister pointed out that the Public Safety Conservation Act, passed in 1932, to deal with conditions that had been induced internally, was convenient for the initial purpose of war regulations. Proclamations under that Act, however, were only valid for a month, therefore the Government had to take additional powers, and the emergency legislation was introduced accordingly, it follows the procedure adopted by the United Kingdom and the other three dominions.

In his remarks during the second reading debate on the Emergency Regulations Bill, Mr Fraser was lucid and convincing. The position was adequately expressed when he said that the legislation was nor of a kind that any citizen could desire, but the powers sought were inevitable, and upon the manner in which they were exercised would depend whether oF not they were to the country’s benefit or detriment. There is no doubt that much will depend upon the wisdom of the Government in administering the regulations, so that the community shall not suffer undue hardship and inconvenience by unnecessary interference with the business life of tire country. Some assurance is given by the statement of Mr Fraser that the Government had no desire to be a dictator of the people’s lives and liberties, but the circumstances were exceptional, and for that reason exceptional powers were taken. Those are admirable sentiments. The Acting Prime Minister has handled the position tactfully and well, and he has secured the co-operation of the Opposition in the matter, Mr Hamilton, Mr Forbes, and Mr Coates giving this assurance. The Bill is certainly a drastic curtailment of individual freedom. What it amounts to is that some of our liberties are taken from us in the meantime so that all of them may be retained in the end.