ELECTION ISSUE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 248, 1 August 1941, Page 3

ELECTION ISSUE

MATTER FOR PRIME MINISTER. HINT BY HON W, NASH. WELLINGTON, July 31. Replying to the Budget, debate in the House of Representatives to-night, the Ron. W. Nash thanked colleagues of his Otvtt patty for their eulogistic references to the Budget, and also the - majority Of the rheUibefS of the Opp - sitiori for their “silent tribute.” (Laughter). , The Minister outlined how production increased in Volume since 1930, and referring to criticism of the import restriction policy, said that the Government had-' never refused a licence for essential goods, and there were more goods available to people of this country for the purpose of maintaining living standards because the Government had brought essential goods in. All the members of the Op- ' position, said Mr Nash, had been looking'forward to an announcement in the Budget that the people would have to pay mote in taxation, but because they had not the Opposition was disappointed. Dealing, with the payment for the war, v-Mr Nash said that every endeavour would be made by the Government to .free the men who had gone overseas on servico from the burden of War debt on their return, and transfer it to those who had remained behind. If it were possible to work out a scheme to do this the Government would see that it was done. Ho did not know at present how it was to be done, but if there was a way to ensure that those who went to fight could be kept as free as possible from the load of debt afterwards, then, as one member of the Government, he would try to’ find that. way. Mr Nash also referred to the invitation extended to the Leader of the Opposition to join the War Cabinet, One place where Mr Holland could help the Government, he said, was in the War Cabinet, but it seemed clear that he wanted to indulge in party politics. It "was because of •what the Opposition had done during the last sis mouths that made it next doof to impossible to have a National Government. The best way to secure the maximum war effort was to secure unity in the War Cabinet, and he considered Mr Holland should become a member of that Cabinet. Politics and th* War Effort. Mr Nash also inferred that the hold- 1 ing. of the general election vrotild depend on what Mr Fraser reported when be returned to New Zealand. The issues of the war were: so great that if a National Government was necessary to extend the war effort, he was in favour of it, but he did not believe that a National Government would ex- 1 ' tend the war effort.

Mr Holland asked if Mr Nash thought his joining the War Cabinet wovtld increase the war effort.

Mr Nash replied that if Mr Holland would come ill With an open mind and stop his political propaganda it would help the war effort. He also contended that tlie newspapers were helping the Opposition in its anti-Govern-ment propaganda. The Leader of the Opposition had claimed that his entry to the War Cabinet would tie him up, but were not all members of the War Cabinet tied tip’ in the same way? Reverting to the possibility of an election, Mr Nash said he did not have time to go round campaigning, but he might have to if it was considered necessary for the maintenance of the Government’s social programme. Mr F; W. Doidge: If the Leader of the Opposition comes into the War Cabinet, then you are saved a General Election ? '

Mr Nash: No. I do not say that. I arii saying that if Sir Holland comes into the War Cabinet there will be a better chance of unity in the country. I am not going to say if there will be an election or not. That is for the Prime Minister. , It might be possible to avoid an election if tliere is complete unity in the War Cabinet and the war effort.

Mr Nash said he had hoen in touch with Mr Fraser this week, who had studied conditions in the United Kingdom arid the Middle East. He would also study them in the United States, and when he came back would determine what ought to be recommended in the best interests of the country. In conclusion, he hoped there would be slightly less bitterness than in the past, "and if they could not have a National Government they would have an element of national unity that would give the maximum war effort. After Mr Nash had concluded his reply, thus ending the Budget Debate, the House formally went into Committee of Supply, immediately reporting progress. Mr Nash then announced that for the remainder of the present session the House would sit on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only in each week. This arrangement had been made at Mr Holland’s suggestion to suit the convenience of South Island members, ’the HouSc* Would not sit tomorrow, but would adjourn until Mednesda#.