COALITION GOVERNMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1941, Page 2

COALITION GOVERNMENT

CALL FROM FARMERS. SHARP DIVISION OF OPINION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL. June G. A sharp division of opinion on the question of the formation of a Coalition Government and postponement of the general election for the duration of the war was revealed at a conference of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union today, when a motion was proposed urging that a representative Coalition Government should be set up and that the general election should be postponed for the duration of the war. The motion was moved by Mr A. R. Johnston. “We want an election. Feeling is running high in New Zealand today.” said Mr R. Sim. “Some of the members of the present Government did not give a very great account of themselves in the "last war. There are not many people prepared to say that, but the feeling is current today, even among soldiers. Have they any confidence in the present Government?” “An election at present would be disastrous,” said Mr B. Clearwater. “The election would result in 45 per cent recrimination, 5 per cent jingoism and flag-waving. 5 per cent local politics, and 5 per cent main issues. If an election is fought at present breaches will be created that will take years to heal. What is to be our attitude if the present Government is returned to power.” Mr Johnston said that at tho front men of all classes were standing shoulder to shoulder to win the war. There were no politics at the front and there should be the same spirit in the Dominion. The only thing that mattered was the winning of the war. not which party should govern the country. “I served in the last war, and it is hard to take orders from certain people, but they are on the horse’s back and it is our duty to support them. They are the duly elected representatives of the people," Mr Johnston concluded. The motion was carried.