A WAR COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 198, 17 May 1940, Page 11

A WAR COUNCIL

Suggestion By The People’s Movement NON-PARTY BASIS The suggestion that a war council should be established ou a non-party basis, including representatives of farmers. manufacturers, trade unions and other interests, to consider ami advise the Government concerning all measures for directing the Dominions resources to the maximum war effort, was made by the president oi the People's Movement. Mr. E. R- Toop. m a statement yesterday. “I have noted with interest the Minister of Supply’s emphatic, almost gloomy, statement concerning the need for conserving oil supplies iu view of the present war situation.” Mr. loop said. “I would point out that. this contrasts strangely with the Prime Minister’s declaration, in reply to the request made to him by the Peoples Movement, ou ‘the very grave danger of even well-intentioned people developing or inducing in others undue panic during serious developments in the war situation.’ “Though the Prime Minister regards the People's Movement as ‘even wellintentioned.’ it seems necessary to stress the difference between ‘inducing panic’ and the plain necessity tor taking stock of the Dominion’s war effort, Mr. 'Poop said. ‘‘lf the Prime Minister is satisfied that the Government has adopted, or is adopting, every possible measure to utilize the lull strength and resources of the Dominion to plain duty to civilization and the Empire, lie shows an exceedingly complacent and light-hearted disregard tor the opinions of those who think otherwise, or ut least who wish to liuac some assurance rather more substantial than vague statements. “However election figures may be flourished, no mandate was given for a war policy. It is certain that a vast majority of the people are asking why New Zealand alone should consider it unnecessary to call Parliament together to consider the Dominion’s effort in the light of the new situation. “The People's Movement suggests again that a war council should be established on a non-party basis, including representatives of farmers, manufacturers, trade unions and other interests to consider and advise the Government concerning all measures for directing the Dominion’s resources to the maximum war effort. “This is not the time to tinker with policy ideals, however laudable they may be. Social progress, humanitarian objectives and material prosperity depend today not on the legislation of the New Zealand Parliament but on the winning of the war. One of our most vital sacrifices must be to put those tilings aside for the time being while we concentrate on the first necessity—national security and the protection of our civilization. “We suggest, therefore, that Parliament and parties should lead the way. In making this appeal the People’s Movement knows that it speaks for the people. It should not be necessary to speak more emphatically. Great Britain has proved democracy’s strength in response to the wishes of the people. New Zealand should do no less.”

NO COMMENT BY MR. FRASER

“I have no comment whatever to make,” said the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, when his attention was drawn last evening to the statement by the president of the People's Movement, Mr, E. R. Toop.

COALITION GOVERNMENT

Objection To Mr. Nash’s Remarks Dominion Special Service. WAIROA, May 16. Objection to the statement that there was no earthly reason why there should be a coalition Government in New Zealand, made by the Minister of Finance, Air. Nash, in Auckland, was voiced at a meeting of the Wairoa Harbour Board. “I notice Mr. Nash has ridiculed the idea of a coalition Government, said Mr. J. Al. Taylor. In view of the position in England and. the developments of the past week, the suggestion was well worthy of consideration, and was one that was not to be treated as lightly as Mr. Nash appeared to have treated it,” said Mr. Taylor. He did not like the tone of Air. Nash’s remarks at all. He did not think they represented the general feeling of the people of this country. In his opinion a coalition Government was needed. Air. G. D. Tod said something of the nature suggested would have to happen ultimately. The Government could carry on as it was doing up to a point. Air. P. J. D’Kane said the House

would be meeting shortly, and thought it could very well be left to t good sense of members to do what w right. No resolution was put to the meetn