FALSE ISSUES

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 228, 23 June 1945, Page 7

FALSE ISSUES

“The Times” Surveys Electioneering IMPATIENCE SEEN (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received June 22, 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 22. “What should have been a great debate has not .risen above the level of a pugilistic display," says “The Times,” in a leading article on the general election. “It cannot be said that the process designed for the consultation of the people has done much to widen or deepen the public understanding of the issues confronting British policy," .says the editorial. “On the contrary, the absence of any deep-seated differences upon the questions that will occupy the whole of Parliament’s time in the years ahead has stimulated the provocation of disputes where none existed. As each day demonstrates the artificiality of the electioneering, the sense of irritation and impatience deepens toward disgust. “The electorate is well aware that the new House of Commons will have no less need than its predecessor to preserve, a co-operative temper by Which legislation and administration of a truly national character are fostered, and that, mutual vituperation over tactical issues is not a substitute for genuine, useful contentions over national policy.' It is on the great urgent issues of the day that voters desire to know and test the intentions of those who seek their approval, and they wish to comprehend, these issues as a whole, including foreign and domestic, on which all parties are agreed, as well as the variations on which they differ. “The electorate,” states “The Times,” “is by all evidence in a ‘bread and butter ■ mood, and in no way responsible to the old-fashioned melodrama of .party polemics. It may well ask that in the fortnight left before polling day, priority shall be given to the grave responsibilities of the new Parliament and the means by which, they are to be discharged.” Many Services Candidates. It is reported that interest in the outcome of the poll is general among the men serving abroad, but that many confess they are not acquainted with the principal issues. Servicemen account for approximately half the total number of candidates which the three main parties have adopted. Some constituencies have the choice of any one of the three services, and in many cases there are no civilians contesting seats. -The candidates range from lieutenant-generals and air vice-marshals downward, but middleranking commissioned officers, notably majors, predominate In delivering the third of his election radio talks, Mr. Churchill said: We‘ have yet another struggle, against Japan, before us, which must be wound up and finished off before peace returns to this tortured world. The Americans have stood bv us, and we must stand oy them, ‘Quite apart from this, we have our own possessions, conquered and ravaged by the Japanese, from which there comes in addition a call of honour for their clearance and redemption. Mr. Churchill said that the Socialists had declared very loudly that the only way to save Britain was to put them in power! with a mandate to transform our island life as fast as possible a Socialist community under their autnority. “Moreover,” he said, the central Government is to plan for all our lives and tell us exactly where to go and what to do, and any resistance to their commands will be punished. Sir Stafford Cripps has made it clear that he nnd hm kind must give orders to us all, and that if Parliament asks awkward questions it will be controlled or. swept aside. He and some of the Socialist leaders, though others repudiate them, talk ot violence to be used upon us, if necessary, to make us conform sharply and promptly, to the benevolent idea of these autocratic philanthropists who aspire to change the human heart as by magic and make themselves rulers. . . , “I have given you warnings in tne past, and they were not listened to. 1 sincerely believe I can help you, in the critical future which is rushing towa.d us, in as good a way as anyone else, and as long as my faculties and your confidence last I will strive to do so.

Strong Criticism. “Millions of trade unionists, are Conservatives, and several other millions are going to vote for the National Government for patriotic reasons because ot the dangers amid which we at present stand, he said. “The Socialist Party has far less right to call itselt Labour than Mr. Attlee has to call himself its leader. In a manifesto seeking a. renewal o*. confidence from his constituents, Mr. Churchill said “‘Having already passed the allotted span, I might well have claimed relief from my burden, which victory has not lightened, but I feel that my "faculties.: :and , energies ..are as JOOO- - thev have ever been, and therefore, unlei I am relieved by the nation ,1 cannot shrink from the tasks which de'°Mr. Churchill told his constituents that without their support during the 11 veurs he was in the political wilderness he would not have been in a position io be called on to assume the supreme responsibility for guiding Britain at the moment ot its mortal dangei, also, he would not have been able to K lv e in Parliament warnings which, when the mo ment came, were recognized by the whole British nation and the Empire to have been true.

SOCIALIST CHANCES Mention Of Possible Coalition LONDON, June 21. The leaders of the Socialist 'Party, doing a half-way private assessment or their chances at the election, are PF e D®*' in- to make a sensational about-face, save the “Daily Express.’ "Their own straw forecast does not give them victory, but a substantial i - crease —nearly 100 seats above the present representation of l<o m the last House of Commons,” it says. A representative spokesman said: M e may even gain as many, as 120 seats aa(l^ as a stalemate m the House of Commons. If this happens.they are ., iff serve in a coalition under Mi. Churchill, but on condition that the names of the Conservative Ministers in the new Cabinet are submitted for the approval of the Socialist leaders.”