REVISION URGED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20114, 7 December 1939, Page 4

REVISION URGED

DOMINION NEED GOVERNMENT POLICY UNITED WAR EFFORTS NATIONALISTS’ VIEW SEVEN POINTS LISTED (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Seven points of the Government’s policy and administration calling for immediate revision before a proper basis for the united war effort could be established are given in a statement issued Hast night by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, on behalf of a caucus of Parliamentary members of the National Party held in Wellington yesterday. The caucus was of the opinion that if the Government wanted complete eo-operation, its own actions must be subject to review and damage already done must be repaired. The statement issued by the caucus which was attended 'by all members Of the party is: “We are convinced that New Zealand’s maximum war effort depends upon whole-hearted co-operation between all section of the community today. We are deeply concerned at the undeniable evidence that that co-operation is being seriously prejudiced and damaged, on the one hand by the Governments own unfortunate habit of provoking and antagonising various sections ol the community and on the other toy the planned use of the radio to fan sectional controversy and disharmony.

Responsibility for Unrest

“It is being alleged continuously by the Government that this one and that one is not co-operating, but it will have to be realised that the Government itself is entirely responsible for the unrest so evident on all sides to-day.

“That unrest is the spontaneous and natural result of the Government's own policy and action. If the Government wants complete co-operation, then its own actions must be a subject of review, the damage already done must be repaired and a proper basis for a united war effort established.

“The National Party members of Parliament are anxious that New Zealand shall be able to play her full part in the fight for independence and freedom as an integral part of the British Empire. They realise that New Zealand’s contribution, in addition bo sending armed forces to stand side by side wlith the Allied forces, shall consist of marshalling the whole of her productive resources so as to supply to Britain with the greatest quantity of foodstuffs. <

Action Suggested

"To achieve a proper basis for this effort, the Opposition suggests that action be. taken immediately upon the following lines: >

“'(1) That the flood of unfair partisan propaganda combined with the misuse of broadcasting privileges must cease.

“(2) That offensive political propaganda and attacks broadcast by the controller of commercial broadcasting in particular every Sunday evening be abandoned immediately.

“(3) That it be made clear to everyone, without reserve or evasion on any poinlt, that the various war emergency regulations and legislation under which produce has been commandeered and dictatorial conditions, repugnant to democracy imposed, shall not be permanent.

“(4) That the provisions governing the drastic restrictions of imports, unfortunately necessary as a consequence of the Government’s policy and administration, shall be amended so that importers are rationed in overseas funds and yet still left the maximum amount of freedom in the selection of the commodities required by the general public and essential to the maintenance of the standard of living.

“C 5) That the Government abandon Its policy which has enticed, and is stilt enticing, Workers into public works and relief jobs who could be playing a vital part in the war effort in productive employment. “(6) That the tremendous pressure on the available overseas funds caused by the inordinate amount of Government overseas purchases be curtailed so as to leave a greater amount of purchasing power in the Wand’s of manufacturers, importers and the general public for the purchase of essential gOods, thus maintaining the standard of living instead of reducing it as ’at present. “(7) That there be an immediate revision of the Government’s entire financial programme so as to Conserve as much of our resources as possible for war purposes: for instance, reconsideration at this time of suCh expenditure as that on new radio centres in Auckland and Wellington.”