THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 19 October 1942, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

(To the Editor) Sir, —How interested I was as a Nelson elector to actually see Mr F. Lock's name in print and that he was still Nelson’s Nationalist candidate in spite of false rumours. I do not think Mr Lock is to blame because he has not been before the public eye for many months, when one remembers that his leader (?) Mr S. Holland and the Nationalist heads had had a gentleman's agreement that controversial matters were to be placed in the background, if possible, during the war period. This agreement of “Silence is Golden'’ must have been very beneficial to the Nelson Nationalist candidate in trying to gather up the various political trends within the Nationalist Party, seeing that for a long time a serious crack had developed between the Holland, Doidge and Hamilton factions. But the Coalition War Cabinet was thought to be a real unity strengthening diplomacy if tactfully carried c ut. But according to Mr J. Lee, M.P., and Mr Morgan Williams, M.P., prophecies the Coalition War Cabinet could not last three months. Mr S. Holland fulfilled their statements by resigning as DeputyLeader of same over the unanimous vote, less Mr S. Holland’s, approving the action of the War Cabinet over the illadvised miners strike. He immediately gets his gloves off for a General Election. The Nationalists called a caucumeeting and away they go with chests pushed out like pciiter pigeons. The last was disastrous. Their assuredness was humbling, their political manoeuvres during the serious war crisis were something worse than one could ■ express. 1 have since wondered if Mr Hol- , land's tactics were the only method he • could take to purge his party members. i It is evident that four of the Nationalist most important members whose backbone would not bend, stood four square “that winning the war was more important than creating and side-tracking ‘ the public opinion into a General Elec- ; tion.” No mother, father, husband or ■ sweetheart wants an election, but do ■ want the war won as quickly as pos- • sible. I am sure that the majority of > the Nationalist members must congratu- - late the two ex Nationalist Prime Ministers, the Hon Mr Hamilton and the ! Hon. Mr J. G. Coates. The Nationalist J Chief Party Whip. Mr Kyle, M.P., and that stand-back Independent Nationalist. Mr Wilkinson, M.P.. for the true national outlook by voting and supporting the majority action of the War Cabinet. This was a democratic action , upon their part. What does Mr Lock think? Then Mr S. Holland still think- • ing he had public opinion behind him. moved a vote of no-confidence upon the • Government, after he was defeated in ’ the Coalition War Cabinet of his own building and making. Democracy - again had its way and Mr S. Holland’s . motion was defeated by 47 votes to 17. - almost a three to one majority. Now j has Mr Lock still got. any of his own j opinions over Mr Holland’s actions and . the disastrous destruction of the once- . thought to be the only real loyal poli- • tical party? I remain, still waiting for . our Nationalist candidate’s opinion.— • I am, etc., PUBLIC OPINION, i Nelson. 19th Oct.