“LACK OF POLITICAL UNITY ”

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23918, 9 April 1943, Page 4

“LACK OF POLITICAL UNITY ”

STATEMENT BY PEOPLE’S ; MOVEMENT i (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 8. : “It is nonsense for either the . National Party or the Labour Party r to disclaim responsibility for the lack . of political unity in this country today,” says a statement issued by the , People's Movement. The statement ; challenges Mr S. G. Holland’s descrip- " tion of the measure of political inde- | pendence of members of nis party, and ■ asks whether it is not a fact that three members of his party, former members of the War Cabinet, supported the very s measure that resulted in Mr Holland’s • resignation from Cabinet. The state- ■ ment declares that the party, whip was t cracked and they “no doubt relucti antly had to follow their leader once t more into the political trenches,” ! It quotes as another example of I “the pernicious grip of partyism,” the . reference in an otherwise most com- . mendable announcement concerning work on the Wellington waterfront , that “recognition was taken of the fact t that a general election would be held . this year.” It adds: “What an extraordinary state of affairs it is if the J prospect of an election can prompt [ such an action where the grim realities • of war cannot.” ! The statement concludes with a reit- • eration that “the people want no elec- • tions, and that it is still not too late for the party leaders to listen to the ■ voice of reason.”