POLITICAL UNITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1941, Page 4

POLITICAL UNITY

FORMATION OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT VIEW OF OPPOSITION LEADER. REPLY TO DEPUTATION. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The deputation which yesterday waited on the Prime Minister and advocated the formation of a National Government and the postponement of the general election, later made the same representations to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland). In the course of his reply, Mr Holland said his colleagues and himself shared the view that an election at this time was undesirable if it could be avoided. Never before had New Zealand faced such perilous times. "All along we have been willing to sink our differences, drop party politics, and join in the formation of a National Government,” Mr Holland further stated. "The only condition attaching to these proposals has been that the Government party should likewise drop party politics and controversial domestic legislation far the duration of the war. "Without such reciprocity jon the Government’s part,” said Mr Holland, "it would seem that an election is unavoidable, but even now it is not too late for the Prime Minister to profit by his observations in Britain and give to the people of New Zealand, in this crisis, the lead for which they are waiting. "In conclusion I can only again remind you that the non-formation of a National Government in the last two years is the responsibility of the Government and not .of the Opposition, and the decision as to whether or not an election is to be held is also the responsibility of the Government.”