GRAVE SITUATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 7, 20 October 1941, Page 8

GRAVE SITUATION

DEVELOPMENT IN THE PACIFIC. WAR EFFORT MUST BE DOUBLED In view of the critical situation in the Pacific a strong plea to the people of New Zealand to intensify their war effort was made by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. Peter Fraser) in an address which was broadcast last night. Referring to the postponment of the General Election, Mr Fraser said that Parliament’s decision had met with the wholehearted approval of the people; in fact, he had not received one adverse comment. During the last week, said Mr Fraser, the House of Representatives had agreed to postpone the election for a year. Only most serious circumstances could justify such a course but it had been fully justified. It had been a very serious decision to lengthen the life of Parliament without a mandate from the people. There had been a very serious searching of hearts and consciences on the subject. The members of the Government had been confident of the endorsement of their policy and social legislation, and the members of the Opposition had been equally confident in their condemnation of the Government and all its works. “With what is still the apparent impending fall of Moscow and the uncertain fate of Leningrad, and possibly the entry of Japan actively on the side of the Nazis and the present world situation,” he continued, “the position is worse than., it has been since the outbreak of war, and the situation is particularly grave in the Pacific. The thought of a battle of words and the antagonism and bitterness aroused during an election when our brave men are face to face with the enemy, so far from being an alluring prospect, was to me unthinkable. To have held an election when our gallant young men, both Maori and pakeha are fighting for all of us on land, at sea and in the air, when their wives and mothers are in such dreadful uncertainty as to the fate of their loved ones would have been cruelty. A general election would have disrupted, dissevered and disorganised our people at a time when the watchword of our country should be unity, co-opera-tion and courage. All differences of political opinion and thought are dwarfed to the minimum in face ot tne appalling threat of world domination by the Nazis. ... “Our democracy and privileges will be crushed to dust, if Hitler triumphs. \ll we have achieved in political economy, social legislation, and our high standards of living will be destroyed all that is pleasant and worth while in life. For these reasons the people of New Zealand have cordially endorsed the decision of Parliament to postpone the election. I have received no word of adverse criticism, but on the contrary nothing but commendation —the will of the people lias prevailed. My previous estimate that 80 per cent, of the people favoured the postponement of the election was an underestimate. I have already thanked the Government, the heads of the IV ai Council and the Opposition, and I feel that I can thank the people of New Zealand, too, for their wise acceptance of what I may claim to be the un- ■ doubted will of the people.” Great Effort Necessary. Mr Fraser continued that in general New Zealand’s part in the war effort was good. He referred to the various war and patriotic organisations, and said that even more must be done, lie appealed for support of the new war savings effort which would be launched shortly as every pound given would be a blow *at Hitlerism. They could assist the United Kingdom, our Allies, and particularly Russia, by working harder here. “If we fail,” he continued, “Hitler will, subjugate not only our bodies, minds and souls, hut the spirit of mankind as a whole. Our civil and religious liberty and all that makes life worth living will disappear. As Fascism spreads destruction, desolation and death, it is also sowing the seeds of its own destruction, and it will ultimately be overwhelmed and destroyed for ever. We must work for victory with our hearts and souls and pray fan it as well as with it.

“As you know,” Mr Fraser eoneluded, “I. visited Britain, and I have seen a nation transferred from a peace to a war economy. The workers of Britain are playing their part and because of the exigencies of modern warfare they are in the front line. Here in New Zealand we must be prepared to co-operate. We have tried in every way to maintain peace in the Pacific. If peace is sustained, we will face the position calmly and confidently, determined to be worthy of the example of the people of Britain, to he worthy of our men overseas, to be worthy of those who have laid down their lives, and to he worthy of our country, our Commonwealth and our heritage!”