WAR EFFORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 145, 20 June 1940, Page 10

WAR EFFORT.

APPEAL FOR UNITY. PARTY VIEWPOINTS. NEED FOR CO-OPERATION. FINANCE AND MANPOWER. (By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Jfew Zealand's war effort to date, future requirements, the need for cooperation, lack of party unity and many other subjects were discussed in the House of Representatives yesterday when the. iibual Imprest Supply vote camp before members. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, who opened the debate, had some critical comments to make, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, remarked that acrimonious discussion and incendiary speeches were not likely •to help. Other speakers supported the two loaders according to their political convictions.

Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo) referred to the War Council as a. largo cumbersome body vested with advisory functions only, and of no use whatever. The War Cabinet suggested by the Government was not to have had anything to do with the finance or manpower. Its functions were to be greatly circumscribed. Mr. R. M. MeFarlane (Government, Christchureh South) said there wore people in New Zealand of Fascist ■sympathies. They had not only to guard against the subversive acts of those on the Left.'On the extreme Right there were people not in sympathy with the British Empire. Although the Opposition had the right of criticism lie did not think it fair that they should set themselves out to crucify the Government. The heart of the people desired that Parliament should rise above party considerations and make a united war effort. Living in Fool's Paradise. The people of New. Zealand had been living in a fool's' paradise and had suddenly found it out, said Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition, Riccarton). He wanted to. knov why Dr. McMillan, recently appointed Minister of Marine, had not been given 'the-'-portfolio of Health. Instead of giving him control of a Department he was .qualified to take he had been given Marine. Ms. F. W. Doidge (Opposition, Ta.u--ranga): declared tha" the. ]>eople at the present moment '.were..definitely apprehensive' and afraid. They desired to know'the justification for the enormous powers- given the Government. They knew they were sure of conscription of wealth; • but; were they equally sure of conscription of manpower. The answer was definitely no. ' He .asked what justification there could be for the 40- : hour Week view-of the Prime Minister's statement. It was; all wrong that "the Arbitration "Court should be considering eases where wages went up. and hours were" shortened. Opposition "Hear,: Hears." Members of the House should have a say in determining how the war regulations should be applied, said Mr. J: A. Lee (Democratic:: Labour, Grey Lynn) to the r.ceompahiment of Opposition "hear, hears." Mr." Lee; criticised -the appointment of Mr. R. Eddy, representing the Newealand Workers'" Union, to° the War Council: No person who was a "CO." In the last war should be on the ' War Council with power to determine whether any one else was, to be conscripted or not. He could not conscientiously occupy such a position. The Attorney-General, ' Mr. Mason, said, that he stil. thought the functions of the proposed War Cabinet should be the subject for discussion between the parties. ......'*! The Minister of Lands, Mr. Langstone, said if the Imperial Government wanted more produce from New land the Dominion would have it on hand and would be able to meet all requirements. All that would be needed would be ships to take it overseas. The House adjourned at 11.40 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-day;.