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POLITICAL UNITY

RELATION TO THE WAR EFFORT. MR NORDMEYER’S VIEWPOINT. (P.A.) AYELLTnUTON, July 30. Contending that the formation of a National Government would tend inevitably to stifle the voice of criticism, the Minister of Health (the Hon. A. H. Norclmeyer), speaking in the Budget debate this evening, said that the whole matter was one that should be discussed dispassionately by the House, which could then come to its decision.

The mere fact that the newspapers of the country were unanimous in their demand for a National Government should not in itself show that the question merited no consideration, said the Minister. He then drew attention to the unhappy condition of France which, he said, had suffered from “coalitionists” as a result of a succession of Governments which were half-heart-ed and indecisive. In fact, France had become a byword for political inability. Would members of the Opposition contend, he asked, that there were no differences of principle between the National, Party of to-day and the Labour Party of to-day? Britain, he said, had formed a National Government, but that was because Britain at the time was in peril and had lost confidence in its then leaders. No other portion of the Empire had followed Britain’s example. He wanted to ask if there were a National Government in New Zealand would it make for a better war effort or greater unity among the people. He was of the opinion that it would not. Mr Norclmeyer - said lie desired to ask the House whether—(l) Admitting the fact that a coalition might sometimes he possible and desirable, that condition of affairs existed to-day when there was a radical difference in the principles of the two parties? (2) Inasmuch as it was widely recognised that a coalition did not strengthen, but rather tended to weaken a Govwere there any factors existing to-day which would make that unlikely? (3) Inasmuch as criticism of. Government action, particularly m a time of war, was of vital importance to the country’s welfare, was it desirable that criticism should he stifled? (4) As a coalition tended to bring in its train compromise and indecision, could any argument be produced showing that national unity would bo preserved and a greater or more intensive war effort, bo developed if the two parties-coalesced? Mr -Nordmeycr referred to the invitation to Mr Holland to join the War Cabinet, and asked the Loader of the Opposition if his party would lose anything if Mr Holland took his part in the activities of the War Cabinet. He believed, he added, that .it would he for the good of the War Cabinet and the good of the Leader of the Opposition if, even at. this stage, he could see his way to take this step. The debate will be concluded tomorrow night, when the Acting-Prime Minister will reply.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19410731.2.67

Bibliographic details

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 247, 31 July 1941, Page 8

Word Count
471

POLITICAL UNITY Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 247, 31 July 1941, Page 8

POLITICAL UNITY Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 247, 31 July 1941, Page 8