Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, JULY 21, 1941. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 238, 21 July 1941, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, JULY 21, 1941. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

According to the acting-Prime Minister the statement of the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer that no National Government will be formed in New Zealand was merely an expression of the Minister’s personal views. Though this may be so, the fact that he considered circumstances justified such an expression will lead the country to believe that although the Government has not made a formal decision on the question yet, its feeling is in favour of continuing the present undesirable state of affairs. Mr Nordmeyer said he knew nothing that would disrupt the people of this country more than the formation of a National Cabihet, adding that it would be impossible for two parties, whose interests in domestic matters were so far opposed, to agree in Cabinet. .- In so many words he plainly indicated that his cbncern was chiefly the furtherance of Labour's internal policy. Surely the contest of an election, in which the line of demarcation will be purely domestic, will cause greater disruption and dispersal of effort than close co-oper-ation. For one thing, the attention that Ministers, Members of Parliament, other candidates and the electors generally will naturally pay to local issues must detract from the time, thought and energy that should be devoted to more vital issues. What the country needs, and demands, is the sinking of all domestic differences and whole-hearted united action in furtherance of the war effort. Britain herself presents a striking illustration of the value of this, as even Mr Fraser has to admit. It is only a few days ago that he told a meeting of the Empire Parliamentary Association of New Zealand’s conviction that Mr Churchill has chosen the best men from all parties to form his team, in which there is complete confidence. Mr Fraser’s eulogy of the British procedure places the New Zealand Government in, this position. Either it must claim for itself a mor.opoply* of ability and test that claim at the polls, or it must see the British example .through Mr Fraser’s eyes and choose “the best men from all parties” 4 for the sharing of a common task.