A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 219, 16 September 1939, Page 8

A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

I was more indignant than astonished 11 find that the Labour Government proposes to remain in office as a separate party for the duration of tho present war. It 'is 'both customary and desirable in a time of national emergency to shelve all political difference* and form a coalition Government, in order that all sections of the community mav be fully represented lin the Cabinet. "There a/re thousands of people like myself who have lost all confidence in the Labour Government, even in peace time. We all know the financial muddle that lias resulted from its 4i year* in office, and when one considers, the" part played 'by certain of the present Cabinet in the last war, one can only marvel that they propose to steer the country through the present crisis. Returned soldiers and their wives have a right to demand that they 'be represented in the Cabinet by men in whom they have every confidence, men who have had experience of actual warfare. As a matter of fact, provided the present war does not spread to New Zealand, it will be a positive godsend to the Labour party. For months it has blamed "financial pangsters" for its own ineptitude. Xow it will be able to say, "If it hadn't been for the war." etc. S. B. STRANGE.