POLICY IN JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 August 1940, Page 6

POLICY IN JAPAN

STATEMENT BY PRINCE KONOYE SINGLE PARTY SYSTEM REPUDIATED. FINAL DECISION WITH THRONE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) TOKIO, August 28. The Prime Minister (Prince Konoye) said that if Japan were to bring the China incident to a conclusion and actively to participate in the establishment of a new world order, she must be in a position to take in an independent manner swiftly and resolutely appropriate measures for meeting whatever situation might arise. Prince Konoye added that the first step toward a new structure was the choosing of men of talent from all strata of society to form the nucleus of a movement which was highly political in nature, but by no means a movement for a political party. “The movement cannot be allowed to take the form of a single party system,” he said. The system of one party, with the head of the party as permanent wielder of the power to govern, is unacceptable in Japan, because it is the privilege of all his Majesty's subjects to assist the Throne. That privilege cannot be monopolised through the power of either a single individual or a party. If a difference of opinion should arise concerning the assistance to be offered, the final decision must rest with the Throne. That- is the true essence of Japanese politics.” Addressing the Preparatory Committee for the new national structure, Prince Konoye appealed for co-opera-tion toward the creation of a central organisation for a national movement and the co-ordination of existing Government organisations.