The Southland Times MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1942. Parliament and the Offensive

Southland Times, Issue 24824, 17 August 1942, Page 4

The Southland Times MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1942. Parliament and the Offensive

PARLIAMENT reopens tomorrow, a month earlier than the date mentioned when the House of Representatives adjourned on July 10. This earlier resumption may have been made necessary by developments in the Pacific. Most people will at once connect it with the beginning of the American offensive in the Solomon Islands. The extension of the war in that area must have immediate and noticeable reactions in the Pacific Dominions. An offensive must go forward with a gathering momentum. Every new battle adds to the strain that is already being felt along the network of supply and communications. That network includes New Zealand. The Dominion is comparatively close (as distances go in the Pacific) to the new field of operations. Auckland is about 2300 miles from Tulagi, only half the distance from Pearl Harbour to the Solomons. And New Zealand is not a cluster of atolls, or a speck of land useful only as an air base. It is the most fertile country in the South Pacific, perfectly suited by situation and agricultural capacity to act as a storehouse for Allied forces. Moreover, the offensive has a direct bearing on New Zealand’s strategic position. The battles now being fought at Tulagi and Guadalcanar may give it a security greater than any that has been known since the attack on Pearl Harbour. It is. clear, therefore, that the people of this Dominion cannot be mere spectators of events which may be deciding their own national destiny. War in the Pacific is their war as well as America’s; they must be ready to do what they can to help their allies. There can be little doubt that New Zealand’s role in the present struggle, and in the later efforts which may be expected to arise from it, has already been allotted by those who are directing the strategy of the United Nations. Just what that role is to be must remain a subject for speculation until statements are made by the Prime Minister, or until the trend of policy is reflected in the introduction of new measures. There may have to be troop movements. Or the emphasis may be placed most heavily on farm production. Armies have to be fed, and if the food can be supplied from bases fairly close at hand there is a large gain in the shipping tonnage that can be devoted to essential war supplies. New Zealand’s problem is not merely to maintain normal production under abnormal conditions, but also to create a large surplus which can be devoted to military needs outside the country. Need For Criticism

The new phase in the Dominion’s war effort will certainly be explained to the House when it meets in secret session. Difficulties may have to be overcome. There may have to be readjustments in the spread of labour among essential industries. Every new change of policy brings a host of subsidiary problems . in man-power and civil administration. And what is to be done must be done quickly. The Americans have started an offensive which may take the Allies a first step towards victory. They will be fighting and planning with a sense of urgency that will be communicated to every sphere of activity in the Pacific war zone. The Government may have to take important decisions which cannot fail to affect the country as a whole. It is fortunate, therefore, that Parliament can resume its session within a new political framework, designed to foster unity of leadership. A coalition ministry would have been far better than the War Administration which has had to be accepted as a substitute. But it can at least be said that the country’s affairs will be administered on a wider basis of representation than has so far been possible. The new arrangement will be severely tested in the period of strenuous effort which seems to lie in the immediate future. It should be remembered that in times like the present, when efficient administration is a vital necessity, the functions of Parliament include much more than a wider distribution of responsibility. If there are weaknesses of method, in either military or civil organization, they should be fearlessly exposed. Public opinion has been handicapped by regulations which make it increasingly difficult for individuals and groups to influence the direction of policy. The. elected representatives of the people are therefore entrusted with a great responsibility. 6 Early in July the Prime Minister replied to a statement made by the Hon. Downie Stewart after the party merger. “So far from criticism in Parliament of the War Administration or its work being suppressed by any party understanding,” said Mr Fraser, “it will be more free from party control than has ever been the case hitherto. Every private member of the Government or the Opposition will be free to criticize any and every aspect of the War- Administration’s policy and performances without let or hindrance.” In a Parliament where one member ii every four is now a Minister, with or without portfolio, the resources of debate and criticism are sadly depleted. At no time since the beginning of the war has the quality of Parliamentary criticism reached the high level required by the urgency of the period. It remains to be seen, therefore, if the House can use the present session to improve rather than to accept the changes or developments in policy which it may be asked to endorse. Parliament is meeting in an atmosphere of crisis. Its proceedings will be watched with a close and critical attention.