POLITICAL UNITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1941, Page 7

POLITICAL UNITY

URGED BY INDEPENDENT MEMBER ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS. PRIME MINISTER’S ABSENCE UNFORTUNATE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Aii appeal for a cessation of wrangling, the sinking of parly differences and the formal ion of a National Government for Ihe united prosecution of the war was made by Mr Wilkinson (Independent, Egmont). lie deplored the tone of Government members in resisting approaches by the Opposition for unity, and declared, that it would be a national disaster if the Government persisted with its intention to hold a general election.

Mr Wilkinson suggested that if it were found impossible to form a National Government, then Parliament should extend its life for the duration of the war and enlarge the War Cabinet and increase its powers. From the trend of the Budget debate; said Mr Wilkinson, it seemed that there was an utter failure on the part of Government speakers to realise the gravity of the war situation.

Government members: “We realise it all right."

PARLIAMENT’S POOR SHOWING. Mr Wilkinson said there had been a determined effort by Government speakers to prevent any movement for unity in Parliament. The country felt that Parliament had not lived up to the very high expectations by the public. The shadow' of war was 1000 miles nearer with the threat from the East, and yet Parliament was toying and playing with things of no moment. "Why should we fret and fume about party differences in the face of the grave situation confronting us?” he asked. Danger was coming closer to New Zealand every day and there was a need to pause in domestic strife and prepare for an emergency. As a member without party bias, he did not care twopence who ran the country so long as it was run properly. A Government member: “It is!” Mr Wilkinson: “I have seen no signs of statesmanship lately. It seems that the welfare of party comes first every time.”

The cleavage in the ranks of the Labour Party had accentuated party bitterness, he continued. The public was not concerned with petty quarrels in the House, but it was concerned with the lists of casualties in the newspapers. He wished therefore to suggest a course of action that would make the members of Parliament one, instead of divided as at present. Mr Wilkinson said that in the ordinary course of events the country would be on the eve of a general election. He hoped that one would not take place. After a general election the country would never be united again, and Waitemata should be an object lesson that the country wanted no more of the quarrelling. An election would be wasteful, costly and destructive. Unity was what was needed now. Mr A. S. Richards (Government, Roskill): “Teach that to the Opposition.” Mr Wilkinson: “I am sure that members of the Opposition are more amenable to reason than some Government members.” Continuing, Mr Wilkinson said that it was by no means certain that a general election would confirm the Labour Party in office. If the country' was called upon to face,an election it would show its displeasure at the expense of those who brought it about. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry: “What is the alternative?" Mr Wilkinson: “I’ll come to that in a moment.” Was it fair to the soldiers overseas that the country should proceed to an election in their absence? asked Mr Wilkinson, who said he was convinced that the country did not want an election. PREMIER’S OPPORTUNITY. From the rank and file of the Labour movement there came defiance. In shouting that an election must be held they .were directing their speeches not against the Opposition, but against the members of the Ministry. It was unfortunate that the Prime Minister was cut of the country. On his return he should declare an all-party Government for the duration of the war. He would get the support of the Opposition and the great majority of his own side. If the National Government did not get on well he could appeal to the country and would sweep the polls on an issue to prosecute the war vigorously. “If a National Government is not possible,” said Mr Wilkinson, “Parliament could postpone the general election for the duration of the war and enlarge the scope and power of the War Cabinet. While an election is pending how can the Leader of the Opposition be expected to join the War Cabinet? If this course were adopted there could be a complete truce.” Mr Wilkinson said there had been talk of a referendum to determine whether Parliament’s life should be extended. It was a foolish suggestion. Parliament should courageously decide for itself. It was an obvious duty.