NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 May 1940, Page 4

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

NON-PARTY WAR CABINET WANTED. STATEMENT BY WAIRARAPA FARMERS’ EXECUTIVE The necessity of obtaining a fully representative national, Government during the present crisis was discussed at a special meeting, yesterday, held in committee, of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union. When the question of a national Government was raised, it was pointed out that at the last election 55 per cent of the poll voted for Labour, and it was considered that the remaining 45 per cent should have some representation in the active prosecution of the war effort.

The executive released the following statement after the meeting:

“Whereas all true citizens are desirous of rendering such personal service to the nation in this most critical period as they are capable of, and are agreed on the principle of equality of service and sacrifice; and whereas the Prime Minister has announced his intention of introducing legislation to take control of the whole national life with a council which is advisory and not executive; and whereas the Prime Minister has appealed to the country to drop party politics; this executive, representing as it does the farming community from Cape Palliser to Pahiatua, is convinced that such sacrifice of its democratic rights and liberties should be to a non-party executive War Cabinet on the lines of that formed in Great Britain for such a period as rfiay be necessary for the winning of the war, and on the pledge that the powers granted will be revoked before the disbanding of the non-party executive. “Our sole desire in this critical hour is the unity of the nation, and it is to this end that this statement has been issued.”