Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1943. TAKING HOLD OF REALITIES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1943, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1943. TAKING HOLD OF REALITIES.

POLITICAL adjustments brought about by an appeal to the people at a general election almost inevitably aie in some details of a rough and ready kind. Not infrequently these adjustments give in some instances legitimate ground for regret and this may have been true in a measure of the outcome of the election which took place on Saturday 7 '. On the whole, how ever, the results of the eleclion will be regarded by a great many people, and not least by those who dislike an extreme party standpoint, as definitely wholesome and invigorating and as ‘making for a better ordering of the national affairs of the Dominion. Many even of those who regretted that an election should have been deemed necessary in the tension and stress of war may be constrained to admit that it has proved to be well worth while. Whatever may have been asserted or claimed in the heat of party controversy, the conduct of the war definitely was not at stake in the appeal on which the people have now given their verdict. With inconsiderable exceptions, the whole population of the Dominion stands for the most vigorous prosecution of the war of which we are capable. It is recognised that our national existence is at stake. The war effort is not that of the Government, but that .of the fighting forces of the Dominion and of the civil population behind them. The only policy that is or could be open to any government in this country is determined accordingly. The primary demand made, upon Parliament plainly 7 is that the parties which have been returned in considerably altered strength shall carry 7 co-operation to its practicable limits in continuing and furthering the Avar effort. Precisely, what can be accomplished in the way of co-operation presumably 7 will be determined at an early meeting of Parliament. Co-operation is needed, not only in carrying on the Avar, but in dealing, or preparing to deal with the formidable problems of reconstruction and economic and other readjustment which will arise when the Avar comes to an end. The election was fought on issues of domestic policy 7 and though the Government was not defeated outright it has suffered a setback of which it is bound to take heed. It is left with a net loss of six seats, including those of two Ministers. The National Party 7 gain of ten seats, together with the overall swing’ of voting throughout the Dominion, can be regarded as nothing else than an emphatic demand by 7 a substantial proportion of the people for changes in certain aspects of the Government’s domestic policy. Although the Minister of Health (Mr Nordmeyer) Avas one of those defeated, Social Security was not an issue in the election, since there is broad agreement between the main parties in regard to it. On important aspects of external and internal marketing, industrial and price control, stabilisation, the cost of living and other questions there have been and are, however, acute differences of opinion and it is to be expected that some or all of these questions will shortly 7 be brought under effective revieAV in with a view to their more effective treatment where that is possible. It may 7 be regarded as satisfactory that the electors have constituted Parliament (save for the return of a l , single Independent, Mr Atmore) in two main groups—the Government, with its adequate but reduced majority 7 and a well-organised Opposition. Secondary 7 parties and groups which might have created confusion failed to attract any 7 considerable measure of support, and it is noteworthy, also, that some of the more fantastic and extravagant elements which had, lately 7 entered into our political life have been pruned away. In the conditions now reached it may be hoped that there will be an increased inclination on the part .of members of Parliament generally 7 to speak and vote in accordance with their independent judgment, instead of obeying in all things the crack of the party whip, and that Parliament will be more responsive than it has been in the recent past to the expression of public opinion.