BRITAIN'S WAR LEAD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1940, Page 6

BRITAIN'S WAR LEAD

NEW ZEALAND TO FOLLOW

Government Seeking Emergency Powers UNLIMITED CALL ON NATIONAL RESOURCES MEETING OF PARLIAMENT NEXT WEEK (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Announcing - yesterday that Parliament is to meet on Thursday next to pass legislation similar to the Emergency Powers Defence Act passed by the British Parliament this week, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser)'said that the proposed legislation, the principles of which had been unanimously endorsed at the caucus, would place at the disposal of the country all forms of property and institutions, as well as every person in the Dominion, for the prosecution of New Zealand s war effort. The Prime Minister said that he had explained to the caiicus the gravity of the war situation, and had discussed the imminent possibilities of the military operations of Britain and France. He had said that while everything should be done to counteract and prevent hysteria and scare-mongering, the situation would be efficiently faced by the Government, supported by the whole community. “When Parliament meets on Thursday,” said Mr Fraser, “measures will be introduced providing for powers on the lines of the Emergency Powers Defence Act passed by the British Parliament on Wednesday. That measure requires persons to place .themselves, their services and their property at the disposal of the country. It is quite clear that the country will welcome such a measure, and in my opinion the serious nature of the war situation demands it, and cannot be met effectively ■I by any other means.” CIVIL AND MILITARY SERVICE. Mr Fraser said that various organisations had passed resolutions calling on the Government to take just such steps in connection with "civil and military service, and the wealth of the Dominion. It was obvious that under the proposed legislation both personal and property rights and liberties would inevitably be subordinated to the common interest. That applied to all forms of national activity, but the Government would, as soon as possible, discuss its proposals with representatives of industrial, commercial and financial interests, and the trade union organisations. It f.ully anticipated their wholehearted support. “New Zealand and the Commonwealth of which New Zealand is proud to form a part are threatened with the gravest danger that ever confronted them,” said Mr Fraser. ‘‘lf Britain and the British Commonwealth is defeated, all our property, privileges, rights and liberties will be swept away. I cannot imagine that anybody will object to sacrificing present advantages for future security and liberty.” Formal notification of the opening of Parliament next Thursday is contained in a Gazette extraordinary issued last night.

LABOUR PARTY

HON. W. NASH ELECTED DEPUTY=LEADER dr. McMillan recommended FOR CABINET RANK. PREMIER MEETS OPPOSITION LEADERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The unanimous election of the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash as deputy-leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, was announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, late last night at the conclusion of the day's sitting of the caucus of members of the party. Mr Fraser also announced that Dr D. G. McMillan, M.P. for Dunedin West, had been recommended to the Prime Minister for consideration for Cabinet rank. There were several nominations and the choice was made by vote. ■ Special interest attached to last night’s proceedings of the caucus, as they followed a discussion in the late afternoon between Mr Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton, and the Rt Hon J. G. Coates, M.P. for Kaipara. Though no statement was available in either Government or Opposition circles, it is generally believe that the discussion centred around New Zealand’s effort, and its. administration. Mr Hamilton said merely that owing to the special circumstances he was unable to say anything at the moment, and Mr Fraser took the same attitude. Caucus began at 11 o’clock yesterday morning and rose at 10.30 o’clock last night with the business unfinished. It will meet again this morning, and it is hoped to finish by midday. Apart from the war effort and an addition to the personnel of Cabinet.* caucus also discussed difficulties associated with the broadcasting of Parliament al the present time. There was a large attendance of members, three being 'in uniform — Lieutenant A. G. Hultquist (Bay of Plenty), Sergeant E. P. Meachen (Marlborough), and Private C. F. Skinner (Motueka). NATIONAL CABINET ADVOCATED IN DUNEDIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, May 24. At a public meeting in the Town Hall tonight, attended by a crowd estimated to exceed 5000, the following resolution was carried by an ovewhelming majority:— That this mass meeting of citizens of Dunedin, being deeply moved by the serious situation of the Empire, demand the Government to follow the example of Great Britain and France and immediately form in New Zealand a non-party national Government pledged to conduct the wax' effort to the limit of the physical, financial and economic resources of all people.

BLUFF RESOLUTION (By Telegraph—Press Association., INVERCARGILL, May 23. '■The following resolution was adopted by the Bluff Harbour Board today: “This board is extremely concerned about the methods of conducting the Dominion's war effort, and, because of the present particularly serious international situation, urges the Government immediately to revise all past decisions about defence and at once institute a national war council, with full powers to implement a system of compulsory military service, so that the best possible use be made of manpower, with due consideration to the maintaining of the most important industries of this country, which are absolutely essential for the successful prosecution of the war effort.”

PATRIOTIC OFFER FACTORY AT DISPOSAL OF STATE. APPRECIATION EXPRESSED BY PREMIER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 24. The offer of the equipment and staff of the Midland Engineering Company for war work without any profit or overhead charges and no payment for overtime was made on Thursday by Mr S. G. Holland. M.P. and his brother, Mr S. E. Holland, to the Government. Their father, Mr H. Holland, who formerly represented Christchurch North in Parliament, also offered his garage and staff on the same terms.

Mr Holland, M.P., sent the following message to the Prime Minister:—

“My brother and I desire to make a practical offer of assistance toward the New Zealand war effort. Accordingly we unreservedly offer, without qualification of any kind, the entire facilities of our engineering factory for war work of any sort without profit. Our entire staff, both engineering and clerical, desires to be . associated in the offer, and will welcome the opportunity of working on war work without payment of any overtime, or on Saturdays or Sundays as required, and we would provide all the overhead free of charge. We hope to have the opportunity of putting this offer into practice, and that other factory proprietors and workers will de the same.

“My father desires to join by offering the facilities of his garage and staff on the same terms.”

Mr Fraser replied on behalf of the Government: —•

“I desire to thank you and your brother very sincerely for your generous offer of assistance toward the New Zealand war effort conveyed in your telegram of today. Steps are being taken immediately to have a thorough examination made of your factory’s possibilities with a view to ascertaining in what direction it can best be utilised, and officers of the Industries and Commerce Department will get into touch with you tomorrow. Your father’s generous offer, for which we are grateful, and would like him tc accept our thanks, will also be examined without delay. The patriotic spirit evinced by these offers is very greatly appreciated. Kind regards.”

FIFTV=HOUR WEEK

ADVOCATED BY COUNTY COUNCIL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TE AROHA, May 23. The annual meeting of the Piako County Council passed the following resolution:—“That members of the Piako County Council advocate that the Government take immediate steps for the introduction of a 50-hour week and establish compulsory military training in New Zealand; also, that a national Government, consisting of experienced men of various vital departments, be set up to conduct New Zealand’s war policy.”

ROTARY POLICY .

OUTLINED BY DISTRICT GOVERNOR. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) VZELLINGTON, This Day. The attitude of the Rotary movement in New Zealand to the present conflict is outlined in a-statement by the District Governor for New Zealand, Mr D. A. Ewen, in which he quotes a recent statement by the Board of Rotary International to the effect that it expects its members, while co-operating toward a cordial international understanding, to be thoroughly loyal to their religious and moral ideals, and tc the higher interests of their particular country.

Mr Ewen urges all Rotarians to assist in the war effort by helping established institutions such as the Red Cross, Young Men’s Christian Association. Salvation Army, and patriotic funds; by working on recruiting committees; by assisting in home service units, and by helping in the drive to increase production, both primary and secondary.