STATE POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 December 1939, Page 7

STATE POLICY

REVISION ADVOCATED BY NATIONALISTS ESSENTIAL TO UNITED EFFORT. CO-OPERATION PREJUDICED AT PRESENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Seven points of Government policy ami administration said to call for immediate revision before a proper basis for a united war effort can be established are given in a statement issued last night by the Beader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton, on behalf of a caucus of Parliamentary members of the National Party, . held in Wellington yesterday. The caucus was of opinion that if the Government wants complete co-opera-tion, then its own actions must be subject to review. The damage already done must be repaired. The statement by caucus, which was attended by all members of the party, is as follows: — "We are convinced that New Zealand’s maximum war effort depends upon wholehearted co-operation between al! sections of the community. Today we are deeply concerned at the undeniable evidence that that co-oper-ation is being seriously prejudiced and damaged, on the one hand by the Government’s own unfortunate habit of provoking and antagonising various sections of the community, and on the other by the planned use of the radio to fan sectional controversy and disharmony. CAUSES OF UNREST. "It is being alleged continuously by the Government that this one and that one is not co-operating, but it will have to oe realised that the Government itself is entirely responsible for the unrest so evident on all sides today. 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 the subject of review. The damage already done must be repaired and a proper basis for 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 to sending armed forces to stand side by side with the Allied forces, shall consist of marshalling the whole of her productive resources so as to supply to Britain the greatest quantity of . foodstuffs. SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS. "To achieve the 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 misuse of broadcasting privileges,, must cease. “(2) That the offensive political propaganda and grossly unfair 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 point, that the various war emergency regulations and legislation, ifficter 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 overseas funds and yet still left the maximum amount of freedom in the selection of commodities required by the general public and essential to the maintenance .of the standard of living. PUBLIC WORKS & IMPORTS. “(5) That the Government abandon its policy which has enticed and is still 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 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 hands 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, reconsid? eration ar this time of such expenditure as that on the new radio centres in Auckland and Wellington."