HOPE OF STABILITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1942, Page 2

HOPE OF STABILITY

UNDER THE NEW WAR ADMINISTRATION VIEW OF NATIONAL PARTY PRESIDENT. BIG CONCESSION ON PART OF LABOUR PARTY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Commenting on the formation of the War Administration in which both the Government and the National Party are represented, the president of the National Party, Mr Alex Gordon, said last evening that the arrangement had the supreme merit of ensuring political stability, which under prevailing circumstances was a most important factor in the attainment of a maximum war effort. “The National Party has all along advocated a straight-out national government, and we know that the Prime Minister has shared our views on this subject,” said Mr Gordon. “Circumstances have prevented the formation of a national government, but insofar as our objective was to eliminate party strife, spread the burdens of war time administration, and promote greater all-round efficiency, I believe the present arrangement will serve the same ends. While it may not be precisely what the National Party has advocated, it represents a very big concession on the part of the Labour Party from the attitude expressed at the Easter conference, and the public should recognise this fact. “I believe that, as a result the Government will find its administrative problems considerably simplified through the presence of new ’’and capable men in the highest council? of the nation.” proceeded Mr Gordon. “It has the further advantage that members of Parliament on both sides of the House will be able to examine and if necessary, to criticise the new administration in complete freedom from existing party affiliations, while there will no longer be any justification for political suspicion or misunderstanding on the part of the general public in their attitude to the decisions of the administration.” Mr Gordon said he did not think it was in the mind of either party that there should be an indefinite postponement of the elections. The new administration bad been set up in response to a public demand, and by the same token would respond to a demand at any time for a reconsideration of the position involving the holding of a general election. The necessity of holding an election this year had been removed, however, and he thought the public would greet this with relief. The decks were now cleared for singleminded concentration on the war effort, and the defence of the Dominion, which were the paramount considerations for every patriotic citizen at this time.