AUTHORITY NOT TO BE SHARED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 4, 30 September 1943, Page 4

AUTHORITY NOT TO BE SHARED

Labour Government MR. FRASER’S ANALYSIS OF ELECTION . “The country has comman'ded the Government to carry out its programme for the war period and for the post-war period. We will do so. We will do it without any hindrance, even if it is proffered as help, by any person or party,” said the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, in .reviewing in the “Standard,” the official organ of the New Zealau'd Labour Party, the election results. “We are completely capable of discharging this great trust. Our past achievements have -proved that fact. AVe do not propose to be handicapped or trammelled in any way by sharing the authority for the carrying out of our policy, and the legislative and administrative plans for its realization, with any person or party which has opposed us an'd our programme and lias been rejected by the people.” The (battle had been won by Labour, and won handsomely. “It was a hard fight, and a bitter fight,” he continued. "In some respects and in some electorates it was the bitterest that we have experienced 'While Labour's very large majority has been materially decreased owing mainly to the diversion of votes to those who both used and demeaned the name of Democratic Labour, our present majority is substantial, and satisfactory, and is quite adequate to enable us to curry on the Government of New Zealand efficiently and effectively with credit to Labour and with additional lasting benefits and •blessings for the people.” On the eve of the election he had asked for the approval and endorsement of the people of New Zealand for the Government's war effort and that had •been given. The people of New Zealand, including the men of the forces abroad and at home whose votes were east so overwhelmingly for Labour, had given a definite, decisive, and full mandate to the Government to implement its programme, and had given a definite, decisive, and full condemnation of the policy of the -Nationalist Party. Political Unity Issue.

"When New Zealand was faced with the problems of participation in a world war, when problems loomed ahead which were new to everybody, when our country was in danger from Japanese invasion, when full mobilization was necessary, the Labour Party did everything possible to achieve national political unity in our war effort, and the War Administration was formed,” Mr. Fraser said. “The Nationalist Party and its leader smashed that national -political unity in the most deliberate and irresponsible manner over a matter that was trivial compared with the great issues confronting the nation. “By doing so they destroyed all hope of achieving national political unity. The Nationalists made it crystal clear that they didn’t want unity. They wanted political domination and dictatorship. When they didnt get it, when democratic majority rule was insisted upon, they desorted. “After such an. experience any further efforts in the same direction would be futile. Indeed, it would be a surrender of the people’s mandate. Today the situation is entirely different. The danger, threatening our land has receded considerably. “The Government and War Cabinet have had four years of war experience and administration. Many of the war problems have ibeeii solved or are in process of being solved. In regard to others principles have been agreed on and are applied to their solution as they arise. 'The Government can carry, on very successfully. We intend to do so.” Dealing with the contest in Wellington Central, Mr. Fraser said: “I was subjected for over five weeks to an unparalleled campaign of unlimited abuse, vilification, and unblushing falsehood . He concludes this passage with the comment that “'Wellington Central is still loyal to Labour and will remain loyal to Labour in the future.”