THE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23264, 26 February 1941, Page 10

THE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED

♦ MR HOLLAND ON FINANCE ’ AND WAR EFFORT (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.? TIMAjRU, February 25. The Leader of the National Party (Mr S. G. Holland), addressing an audience of 600 to-night, voiced a protest against the action of the Government in denying the National Party the use of the radio, and' criticised the management of the monetary system of the Dominion which Labour had carried out in the last five years. It managed or mismanaged so efficiently that New Zealand soldiers were not permitted to enjoy more than Is 6d a day. whereas the Australian soldier was allowed £6 a week, Mr Holland said. If they were prepared to fight for the - freedom of democracy they should not be denied the right to enjoy money they earned. It was useless talking about a 100 per cent, war effort when the country was living beyond its income. It was time the country took stock of the position, stopped “monkeying” with the monetary system, and got down to hard work. A 100 per cent, war effort was not possible while the Government refused to call off party politics. The National Party had assured the Government that it would do all it could to assist the war effort, and the first thing it would do if elected would be to form a National Government, forget party politics, and put the best effort of every section of the community into winning the war.