EXECUTIVE WAR CABINET

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23415, 23 August 1941, Page 10

EXECUTIVE WAR CABINET

SUGGESTION FROM UPPER HOUSE

(PA.) WELLINGTON, August 22. Continuing the debate ol * j. n ? ond reading of the Finance Bill m tne Legislative Council to-day, the Hon. W Perry, expressing the hope that there would not be a General Election suggested that if the parties were not able to come together they would set up a War Cabinet with executive power, including men outside Parliam Though New Zealand’s war effort was extraordinarily good, it was still a long way from the possible maximum. he said. Far too many citizens were doing nothing, though the Government had given a lead with the Home Guard and other organisations. Then there were the so-called clever people who tried to beat the censorship and petrol regulations, and those who did not give a fair day s work. Emphasising the necessity for the utmost effort, Mr Perry said that Japan was on the brink of war and statesmen had warned us that the war was going to be a. long one. Yet there were fools who deluded themselves into the belief that “it cannot happen here The people of New Zealand should remember how the Japanese had seized strategic points in the south. She was to all intents and purposes blockaded, but would she allow her industries to starve, and her army and navy to lack oil, or would she fight. If Japan did decide to fight, she would send raiders into the Pacific and New Zealanders, instead of worrying about elections, might be worrying about a blockade. . , ... The Hon. F. E. Lark suggested that as far as a national government and election were concerned, the people of New Zealand would be the best judges. He could not see what was to be gained by a national government. The Hon. M. Connelly declared that what had happened to trade unions under Nazi rule was proof enough of the need for all workers to throw their full weight into the war effort. The debate was interrupted and the Council adjourned at 4.40 p.m. until next Wednesday.