WAR POLO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1940, Page 9

WAR POLO

PRIME MINISTER REPLIES TO MR. BARNARD i STATEMENT HELD CONTRARY TO FACT. ASSISTANCE IN RECRUITING APPEAL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. April 12. Asserting that the statement, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon W. E. Barnard, member for Napier, that in war policy “apparently Mr Chamberlain calls the tunc and we are to dance to it,” was contrary to fact and made in a manner calculated to mislead the people o: Napier, the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser last night replied to Mr Barnard’: telegram, published yesterday, offerin', the services of the Defence Committee of the House in recruiting. Following is the text of Mr Fraser’;telegram dispatched to Mr Barnarc last night:— “Your telegram of April 10 duly received. I am informed that every member of the Parliamentary committee mentioned by you has been invited to assist actively in recruiting in their respective districts, and most i not all have freely' and effectively done so. The invitation is renewed cordially to all members of the committee and all other members of Parliament who are whole-hearted supporters of New Zealand’s war effort and determination to utilise the country’s entire resources in the present struggle against Nazi Germany, side by side with the British Commonwealth and France. “In view of the fact that recently you questioned the Cabinet's right ft pursue its present war policy' and that you stated on April 7. contrary to fact and in a manner calculated to mislead the people of Napier, that 'apparently Mr Chamberlain calls the tune and we are to dance to it.' the invitation to yourself automatically presents difficulties unless you can give an assurance that you are prepared t< assist the country's war effort to the fullest extent on the present basis, and can furnish a frank and reasonable assurance that you realise that your conclusions regarding the Government surrendering its sovereign rights h: regard to the forces sent overseas were mistaken. “If you still adhere to your statement concerning the Government's war policy' it would obviously be impossible for you to support that policy on the recruiting platform and inevitably' confusion would result and recruiting be injured rather than assisted."

Mi- Barnard's telegram was as follows: — “In the light of today's war nows. 1 wish to direct your attention to the offer three months ago of members o' the Select. Parliamentary Committee on Defence, of which I am chairman to assist the Government in New, Zealand's war effort, and earnestly invite you to make use of the services ol these members in recruiting and any other helpful way's. The members of this committee are representative of both sides of the House, and all bar one are returned soldiers.

OFFER REPEATED MR BARNARD ON WAR EFFORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. “The members; of the Select Parliamentary Committee on Defence arc willing Io stimulate recruiting wherever it is backward." staled the chairman of the committee, Mr Barnard, member for Napier, in the course of a letter soul to the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, last night, in reply' to Mr Frasier's telegram to him. published yesterday. Mr Barnard contended that the present war was the concern of every New Zealander and was not a private matter for the Prime Minister -and Cabinet alone. Following is the text of Mr Barnard’s letter: — “I.acknowledge your telegram which I was roused out of bed to receive last (Thursday) night. “Notwithstanding the information which you have received, it is clear that the services of returned soldier members of Parliament, have been scarcely utilised at all. Except pos- ! sibly in a very few isolated instances, or as curtain-raisers to your own

meetings, or no official arrangements have been made or encouragement given for them to address recruiting meetings through the Dominion. Are we to infer that it is not intended to offer such facilities? If not. why? "No 7 area, which includes Napier I and district, has. without any pressure, -raised more than its quota for all three echelons and. I am informed, has supplied 150 men for the second echelon to make up deficiencies in the quotas of other districts. This method of balancing up recruiting is open to obvious objection. The members of the Select Parliamentary Committee on Defence are willing to stimulate recruiting wherever it is backward. ’Tn regard to my own position, you have entirely misinterpreted my attitude—l hope not wilfully. When you or the national executive, to whom you have delegated the task, have replied to my original letter. I shall state the full case to the people of Napier and trie Dominion, and clear up your own misconstruction and any other. -May I point cut that the present war is the concern of every New Zealander? It is not a private matter for you and Cabinet alone. "I cannot, help feeling that you do not sufficiently appreciate the worth in the present c-risis of the service which could be rendered by men. in or out of Parliament, who fought for their country in the last World War and who have an abiding and honoured place in the hearts of their fellowNew Zealanders. If that service is to be of full avail, definite arrangements must be- made for its utilisation, and no personal feeling or prejudice should be allowed to stand in the way of this obvious duty.”