FORMER PREMIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 217, 14 September 1939, Page 10

FORMER PREMIERS.

ON REGULATIONS.

MR. FORBES AND MR. COATES.

•mo>T roi oo'

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter, WELLINGTON, this day.

Speaking with force and with brevity suited to th« occasion, New Zealand's former Prime Minister, Mr. G. 'w. Forbes (National, Hurunul) clarified and confirmed the Opposition's desire to give tho Government full support in administering the country's affairs in the present state of war, wlien he spoke in the House of Representatives yesterday on the Emergency Regulations Bill.

"To-day there are no politics in thi country. Our difference* of opinioi have disappeared," declared Mr. Forbes "The people are united and they can ,b< depended on to stand up to adversity t< the vary end, and the Government wil have no problem to meet in that respect.' Mr. Forbee added that the Emergency Regulations Bill pluced wide powers anc a great responsibility in the hands of th< Government, The Opposition realises the necessity of giving the Oovernmenl the fulfott support (n -the cttp it wai contemplating. The whole of the coun try's resources had to be properlj organised, Any person placing ar obstruction between the people and th< achievement of that objective should be punished severely, "Long Straggle Ahead." "Unless We are united when we go tc war we Will be fighting like a man with his hands tied behind his back," continned Mr. Forbes. "A long struggle is ■head of us. Wo are fighting again for those principles of democracy for which w» fought successfully before. I feel that no matter what sacrifice is required of the people their response Will bo cheerfully given. We have been through • Struggle before, and we know the Importance of the powers and regulations which the Government is now taking to I, Thp y are n «cossary, and lam confident that they will be administered with the greatest caution and with a full sense of responsibility. The Government's job to day Is to direct the whole activity and enorgy of the nation towards a common end—victory. New Zealand Is 10,000 miles from the thin* lino and the bulk of the burden to iZ carried again falls on the Motherland. We can best help by showing our unity." "All of us dread the idea of a Government taking omnibus powers to do exactly what it likes, but the people of this country must realise that their very existence may depend on the unification of effort to protect the freedom of our country and the British Commonwealth of Nations," said Mr. J. G. Coates (National, Kaipara). "The nscessity and the urge are there, and we must all strive our hardest and give of our best he added. Co-operation BssentiaL Mr. Coates said he took comfort from Mr. Sullivan's assurance that the Government's policy would be one of cooperation with all sections of the community who were rendering service. He fervent], believed that.'hat was the onlv possible policy to achieve success, and he was sure tl.ut all were ready and willing to help so long as they were given a lead as to what was required of them.

Equality of sacrifice is always difficult to define, but we have to make a start," Mr. Coates said. "I think the MDimon sense of our people generally will quickly indicate whether the methods and proposals that are being adopted meet their point of view. Whi£ all of us regret the necessity, none of us regrets the effort made to show that New Zealand is determined to play her part." ' * j