Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1939. OUR NEED OF UNITY.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1939, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1939. OUR NEED OF UNITY.

OF the need for unity in this country, while the war con inues and in the (lavs that will follow the war, there is no doubt. All that is in question is the extent to which we are eapab e of establishing and maintaining, now and later, the eondi io of unity from which, as a people, we have everything to hope and <riiin. At present the national outlook is clouded and troubled to an unfortunate degree by political and othei differences. Some of these are fundamental and can only be put to the test from time to tune at the ballot box. J?tl e ~ however, might well be swept away m an atmosphere ol goodwill, with great advantage to the Dominion and its people. That differences not in their nature vital ought to be eoinpo. at a time when we are asking men to face death foi then country, and not asking in vain, should hardly need to be 1 In great part, if not in every detail, the basis for united co-operation suggested by the National Party caucus (reported in our news columns yesterday) should commend itself as veil worthy of consideration and discussion. Of seven suggestions advanced by the caucus, the first two related to unfair paitisan propaganda, combined with the misuse ot broadcasting privileges. Probably it is impossible to reach agreement on Hie question of whether this or that outpouring is or is not unfair politiea propaganda. If, however, our two political parties reached and adhered to an unreserved agreement to abjure all unfair propaganda and determined in common that bickering and personalities must give place 1o the dispassionate discussion on their merits of problems and measures 01. policy, a halt would be called in a good deal that is going on at .present. Neither is it. in doubt that if such an agreement were made and earned faithfully into effect, the people of the Dominion would be given a better and more helpful lepd than they are getting m existing conditions. The third suggestion of the National I arty caucus m effect that it shall be made clear to everyone that the various war emergency measures for the commandeering of produce shall not be permanent —raises questions on which it is not easy, or at all events is hardly wise, to be too confidently dogmatic. The fear has been expressed rather widely in this country that the Government is finding or may find in war conditions cover and a pretext for extending needlessly and permanently the policy of Socialism in relation to the marketing of produce' What has actually happened up to the present, however, is that the New Zealand Government has made much the same arrangements with the British Government for the marketing of produce during the war period as have been made, for example, by the non-Labour Government of Australia. Moreover it is hardly possible to determine at this stage just what will be the most advantageous adjustment of marketing policy when the war is over, 'fhe Australian Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies), like his opposite number in New Zealand (Air Savage), has declined to commit himself too definitely on this point for the time being. Under what have been described fairlv as governmental commercial operations of hirne magnitude, tiie Commonwealth Government has entered into contracts with the United Kingdom Government for the sale of produce valued at upwards of £101,000,000 a year. itli reefrence to these transactions, Air Menzies said recently that control of finance, trade and prices might not cease when the war was ended, if it lasted three years. Observing that it would be an error to assume that Australia would revert to the old economic structure and life, he added: —

Nobody can foretell what permanent changes in the relations between Government and business will be produced by three years' intensive experience of financial, trade and price control and of bulk selling and buying. The Government is not hostile to change, but desires that it shall be for the good of the people.

There hardlv seems to be any escape Irom the conclusion that in this country as in Australia, where marketing policy is concerned, something must lie left open lor the future Io determine. The remaining suggestions of the National Party caucus relate to questions of import regulation, finance, and Government spending on public works and other objects. The broad contention advanced is that labour and other resources should be concentrated to the greatest extent possible on productive enterprise and in furtherance of the national war effort. Precisely the same contentions have been advanced by the leaders of the Government. If there is agreement in principle, is it 100 much to suppose I hat agreement might be reached on the application of the principle if the parties co-operated to that end.' THE CALL OF CHRISTMAS. T?VKN the shadow of war, in areas at all events as far removed J from the vortex of conflict as New Zealand is, cannot kill the spirit, of Christmas. Amongst other evidence on (he point, bright displays in the shops and the attention they are getting are in themselves convincing. The tide of Christmas shopping has already set in and no doubt it will expand freely in spite of the anxieties and troubles of the lime. This is on all grounds as it should be, for the central message of the greatest of mu’ festivals is one of faith and hope for all mankind. The Christmas message of peace and goodwill embodies the true and unfailing solution of the national ami international troubles in which the world is involved and the kindly celebration of Hie festival in the giving of gifts and in innocent pleasure-making is to be welcomed and valued in itself and in what it implies -—the assertion of undying- faith and hope.