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Wairarapa Times- Age SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1941. SETTING ASIDE PARTY.

A GOOD ease was presented well and ably in Hie statement submitted by a deputation, described as representing all classes and schools of political thought, which waited on the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) in Wellington yesterday and asked that a National Government, should be formed and the general election postponed. The deputation most certainly spoke lor a very large proportion of the people of New Zealand when it said We believe that all party and sectional considerations should go by the board, and our whole undivided attention should be devoted to the winning of the war. Apart from a few cranks of various kinds who need not be regarded seriously, no one will contend that we have in this country any internal differences which can lor a moment compare in importance 'with the issues at stake in a war in which the people of the British Empire and their Allies arc lighting literally for all that makes life worth living. In the simple facts of Hie posit ion there is a more than sufficient reason lor setting aside party and seciional. differences, at least lor the time being. In the extent to which these differences matlei, they can wait. hi the course of the courteous reply in which he promised the Wellington deputation that he would give its representations his very earnest consideration, the Prime .Minister said that: “ Whether a National Government is essential 10 national unity is a matter that allows of a variety of opinions.” .lie said also, however, that he agreed that national unity was the most important thing of all. Looking at. the facts of the war, can it be suggested that there is any good reason why New Zealand should not lollow the example set in the .Mother Country? Of that example, as yesterday’s deputation reminded him, Mr Fraser has spoken in warin terms of approval. In a broadcast from London, he said of the “most inspiring and wonderfuly and truly magnificent unity” of the British nation, that:— It is fittingly typified by a Ministry of able, earnest, energetic, and devoted men from all parties with the intrepid and dauntless Mr Churchill at its head. As yet the civilian population of this country is happily placed as compared ■with rhe people of the Homeland, but our fate is just as definitely and decisively al stake as that of the people of the United Kingdom. There were and are great differences in principle and policy between the political parties of the Mother Country, but the leaders of these parties have been able, with solid support, to compose or sink their domestic differences and to work together as a united team. On what good ground is it to be suggested that we should not do likewise in New Zealand ' One observation made by .Mr Fraser yesterday was that: “If the situation precipitates itself into a crisis in the Pacific, then obviously the position would have to be reviewed differently from what it can be at the present moment.” In no carping spirit, this may be questioned. It is true that the Pacific situation even as it stands emphasises the necessity oi. concentrating on the things that matter most, and that if Hie crisis comes to a head this necessity will be intensified. But whatever may happen in the Pacific, we are engaged in a war of life and death—a war in which our fate is identified absolutely with that of the Mother Country, directly exposed to enemy attack, and the rest of the Empire. It surely will not be suggested that we should do our utmost to help in winning the war only if hostilities are brought to our doors.

One vita] point made by yesterday's deputation was that at any time our troops in the Middle East may be engaged once again in deadly conflict. Is it right that men in the act of venturing their lives on the battlefield —as, indeed, many members of our fighting forces are doing now from day to day—should be asked to align themselves with political parties in an electoral poll.’ Is it endurable tliat our soldiers —of whom the Prime .Minister has said tliat he did not hear from them one word of complaint—should be told that though they are capable of uniting against the enemies of civilisation, the politicians and people of New Zealand are incapable of uniting undividedly in support of the national war effort?

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAITA19410920.2.15

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1941, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
748

Wairarapa Times- Age SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1941. SETTING ASIDE PARTY. Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1941, Page 4

Wairarapa Times- Age SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1941. SETTING ASIDE PARTY. Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1941, Page 4

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