‘VOICE OF THE PEOPLE’

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 December 1939, Page 6

‘VOICE OF THE PEOPLE’

MR NASH ATTACKS NEW MOVEMENT “ANOTHER SPANNER THROWN INTO MACHINERY.” CRITICISM OF "HIDDEN GROUPS." (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Reference to the meeting held in the Wellington Town Hall Concert Chamber last Tuesday night was made on Saturday by the Minister of Finance. Mr Nash. The Government, he said, did not object to criticism, but it did not expect to be hampered in- its efforts to wage the war successfully. “I notice that a new ‘movement of the people’ is reported to have arisen in our midst; and I read with interest an account of its first manifestation in Wellington," said Mr Nash. "One cannot but admire the ambition of organisers whose organisation ‘aims at being the voice of the people.' but the admiration is early tempered by doubt when one discovers that the ‘many hundreds’ present at their meeting were there by invitation. The voice, of the people does not speak by invitation. Neither does it require stimulation to make it speak. "This,” Mr Nash declared, “is just another attack upon the Government and the Government’s policy; just another spanner thrown into the national machinery at a time when the needs of the Empire call for co-operation instead of obstruction. With what object? I cannot believe that any loyal body of men would purposely hinder the country and the Empire in their war effort.

"This at a time when the chief end of Government policy is the fighting and winning of the war; when the whole of the Government’s energies and resources have been placed at the disposal of the United Kingdom Government and of the King. We do not object to criticism. Opposition, criticism, free debate—these are of the very stuff of democracy. But when we and our opponents are in agreement: on the dominant political issue of the day—the conduct of the war—we do not expect to be hampered in our efforts to wage war successfully. Instead, wo hope for co-operation and help. As the barest minimum, we are entitled to demand a cessation of the pin-pricking irritation tactics which, with some would-be politicians, pass muster for constructive statesmanship. Having said that when the people speak, they do so without preliminary planning behind closed doors, Mr Nash asked: “By what authority, and in what right, do hidden groups seek to. embarras and to hinder a Government engaged upon its simple duty?" REPLY BY CONVENORS MATTER WHICH CONCERNS PEOPLE. REASONS FOR. ADMISSION BY TICKET. WELLINGTON. This Day. The convenors of the meeting which was the subject of Mr Nash's animad-> versions on Saturday in a statement say: "Mr Nash apparently is concerned that anyone should have the temerity to call a meeting of people really concerned at the serious economic and political drift which is responsible for the doubt, apprehension and fear abroad in the community today. Surely this is a' matter which concerns the people and one which they are free to consider in their own way, providing they strictly observe the laws of the country. The stupid heckling and rowlyism which has been so popular in recent years at public meetings was the reason for the admission by ticket. By continuing the system thousands of people will attend our future meetings, and while the committee appreciates the value of public meetings the ticket system seems to be the only one possible to secure to speakers a reasonable hearing. Straight talking and not pinpricking was the order of the day for the speakers at the meeting. An appeal from the chair for employers to retain their staffs even at a sacrifice received the endorsement of the meeting. This surely could not be considered an attempt to pour sand in the wheels and embarrass the Government.”