WAR POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1940, Page 5

WAR POLICY

DISCUSSED BY NATIONAL PARTY GOVERNMENT INACTIVITY DEPLORED. ACTION AGAINST DISLOYALTY URGED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “New Zealand’s maximum war effort more than ever depends upon wholehearted co-operation between all sections of the community,” said a statement issued last night on behalf of a caucus, held yesterday of Parliamentary members of the National Party. “The National Party m,embers of Parliament,” the statement continues, “are still determined that New Zealand shall do its part in defence of the Empire in this war, and no consideration will turn them aside from this as a first objective.” Members of the National Party in the House, officials of its organisations throughout New Zealand, and the members of the party, have stood since the beginning, of the war—and stand today—loo per cent behind New Zealand's prosecution of the war. The practical assistance that is being given throughout the Dominion by National Party members has been based since the beginning, and is still based, on the challenging words of the leader, Mr Hamilton, speaking a few weeks after the wax- broke out in an appeal to the nation: — “THE HOUR FOR SERVICE.”

“ ‘Take a lead in this wax’ effort: do not stand by and wonder: get in and make your contribution, your sacrifice. This is the hour for service . . I am appealing to you all to get into the work. No one who is not prepared to play his part loyally in this hour- of trial in defence of oux- homes and families is worthy of oux- tradition—is worthy of the rights and privileges of the freedom and justices we enjoy . . .Get into the work —your’ country needs youx’ effort in whatever capacity you are gifted to serve. The Mother Country and the Empire need you.’ “In normal circumstances it would be unnecessary to point out the practical work that National Party members have done to further’ the waxeffort, not only in active recruiting work, but in many other spheres of war work; some of them are already serving overseas; more are to follow. Even this day caucus has been proud to honour- Colonel J. Hargest, M.P., for Awarua who will leave in command of the Second Echelon. Our people are doing much already—they are prepared to do still more when given the opportunity. “This caucus wishes to reiterate that it is firmly convinced that it is the Government’s duty to promote spontaneous national, co-operative effort by the example of its own policy, and its own actions. The caucus considers its duty to New Zealand to call the attention of the Government to the activities of certain persons and organisations which are definitely designed to discredit and undermine New Zea-

land’s contribution to the Empire’s cause.

“Foremost in this is the indulgence by many in organised subversive propaganda, all of which is deliberately and diametrically opposed to the statement of the Government’s war policy as outlined recently for the Government by the Attorney-General. “The inactivity of the Government in not facing this question is to be deeply deplored and this caucus cannot too strongly urge action in support of warnings it has already given to the Government. Unless the situation is handled immediately and firmly, what is already a menace will grow like a cancer in our midst. DISLOYALTY AND POLITICS.

“It is distressing that not only is this disloyal propaganda being led by the supporters of foreign influences against Great Britain, but it is being actively supported by some high officials of the Labour Party, some Government members of Parliament even, and by employees of the State. “Rarely in the history of the Dominion have the people of New Zealand quired so urgently a lead from their Government than is the case in today’s crisis. Yet, while the National Party members are bending every effort to further the Empire’s cause, we find Ministers of the Crown still delivering purely political attacks over the broadcasting network, in addition to which over the same network, in direct defiance of the Government’s own regulations, organisations and individuals are being allowed to prosecute attacks on the currency and banking system of the Dominion.

“One other point, which is not helpful to the nation’s cause, and which is to be deplored, is the announced decision of the Government actively to revive party warfare with mass party demonstrations throughout New Zealand, in face of the National Party’s determination to place in the forefront of its activities, the Empire’s need and New Zealand's war effort in this terrible crisis. AN EMPHATIC PROTEST. “The National Party must enter an emphatic protest against the action of the Government in not calling Parliament together on the date to which the adjournment was taken —February 8. It is obviously necessary, in protecting the welfare of all sections of the community, that in times of such difficulty and stress, matters of national importance should be fully discussed by Parliament. “There arc many topics engaging the liveliest public attention today, concerning which complete discussion and decision is urgently necessary, which would have been quickly and effective-[ ly dealt with had the Government not prevented Parliament from sitting, concludes the statement. “The Government in this did not act in the best interests of public welfare.” Many other subjects were discussed by the caucus, some of which were considered to be of equal importance and urgency to those mentioned above.