THE GOVERNMENT’S DUTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 6

THE GOVERNMENT’S DUTY.

Despite repeated requests by the Opposition and the growing importance of New Zealand’s part in the prosecution of the war with the utmost vigour, the Government has declined until now to call the House of Representatives together so that all the representatives of the people may have the opportunity of discussing the Dominion’s effort and providing, in the light of information which should not be denied members, helpful criticism. The latest request of the Leader of the. Opposition (Mr Hamilton) that (he House should be given this opportunity is backed by the pointed example of the procedure in the British Parliament. But by fixing a dale in June —the customary procedure in normal times — the Government fails to realise the duty it owes to all the elected representatives of the people. Even before the outbreak of hostilities Mr Chamberlain took the Leaders of the Labour and Liberal Opposition into his confidence in the grave trend of developments; almost weekly ever since, when the House has not been sitting he has had repeated talks with them, and the House has held at least one private sitting in which, one readily imagines, free reign was given to criticism involving measures which, though not in the general, public interest to divulge, Avere the concern of all the members of the House. No political party in Ncav Zealand has done more for the prosecution of the Dominion’s War effort than has the National Party, and the Government is unwise if it belie\ T os that the Labour Caucus alone should be responsible for the direction of the country’s plans with Cabinet as the spearhead. There has been aroused considerable misgiving that at such a crucial time all the elected representatives of the people are not given that opportunity of collaborating in the prosecution of Avar measures that their posiiion entities them to, and which Parliamentary discussion would facilitate. Tbe broiulest exchange of views is prevented by the attitude hitherto taken up by the Government, and it is an attitude that cannot be justified. Nothing but good can come of a sifting of Parliament in which all the members can put forward their views on the conduct of the war. Furthermore, many of the Opposition members _ represent rural constituencies in Avhich a great call for increased production is being readily ansAvered, but not without difficulty. There is no good reason why Parliament should not be called together now instead of in June.