ATTLEE'S REPLY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 119, 22 May 1945, Page 5

ATTLEE'S REPLY

END TO PARTNERSHIP

So That Electors May Express Their Views N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON, May 21. Mr. Attlee, in reply to the Prime Minister's letter, says: "I have, with my colleagues, given most careful consideration to the proposals which you make. The Labour party, on entering the Government, set a particular date for the termination of the partnership. It has, however, been recognised that a general election must necessarily bring the partnership to an end, if the electors are to have a full and free opportunity of expressing their views on future policy. "The need for bringing to an end, when conditions allowed, a Parliament, the life of which has already been prolonged year after year, has been recognised by all of us and by no one more emphatically than yourself. You stated that the prolongation of the life of the existing Parliament by another two or three years would be a very serious constitutional lapse. The increasing success of our arms warranted you, when personally introducing the last Prolongation of Parliament Bill, to assume the probability of the defeat of Germany." Shared Churchill's Faith Mr. Attlee recalled that Mr. Churchill had said that the termination of the war with Germany would fix the date for a general election. The political parties had shared Mr. Churchill's faith in. the end of the European war this year and had consequently regarded the present session as the last of the present Parliament. "It has been the view of the Labour party, which I think you share," he proceeded, "that a rushed election, like that of 1918, before the electorates and especially those serving overseas had had the first opportunity of considering the policies, would be utterly wrong and would gravely weaken the authority of any Government resulting from such an election at a time when public confidence would be especially necessary. It is for that reason that my colleagues and I have always held that there should be an interval between the time when the conditions permitted an election to be held and the election itself. "Recognising the possibility of prejudice to the party holding power during this interim, we have been prepared to share the responsibilities of the Government up to the time when an election was declared." Referendum Alien to Traditions Mr. Attlee's reply concludes: "I do not think it would be right or possible "to obtain from Parliament another prolongation of its life. I could not consent to introduction into our national life of a device so alien to all our traditions as a referendum, which has only too often been the instrument of Naziism and Fascism. Hitler's practices in the fields of referenda and plebiscites can hardly have endeared these expedients to British hearts. "This proposal, for tne reason I have given you, is unacceptable. It has been my desire, publicly expressed, that the long and honourable association of the parties in the Government which brought the country through so many perils to victory under your leadership, loyally supported by your Labour colleagues, should be brought to an end by common agreement without controversy. lam sure this would be your wish, but I am bound to state that the reasons for rejecting the autumn election seem to me to be based, not on national interests, but on considerations of party expediency. x "It appears to mo that you are departing from your position as national leader by yielding to the pressure of the Conservative party, which is anxious to exploit your own great service to the nation in its own interests. I would earnestly ask you to reconsider your decision to hold the election under circumstances which would be bound to cause bitter resentment among the fighting Services. Should you, however, decide on an election in July, despite all the disadvantages to the electors, as set out in this letter the responsibility must and will, of course, be yours."