PEOPLE'S DESIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 97, 26 April 1941, Page 10

PEOPLE'S DESIRE

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

NO PARTY POLITICS

RESULT OF STRAW

BALLOT

As a result of a straw ballot con-J ducted by advertisement recently the; People's Movement claims that the people of New Zealand desire the formation of a National Government and also a War Council with the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates as leader. A postponement of the General Election also was favoured. In a statement \ the People's Movement announces the results of its inquiry, and sets out its attitude towards the present political situation.. ; "We are convinced," the statement' says, "that the general desire of the public is for a National War Government and the cessation of party politics. We also realise that the public generally has no way to express-its views (except once in three years 2ft a General Election) so as to influence the politicians. "In a time of crisis it. is important for the popular wish to be ascertained and voiced. The only way to achieve this is by means of a straw vote —a method freely adopted in America with astonishingly informative results. The People's Movement therefore decided to give this method a trial in New Zealand by taking a straw vote on certain vital questions. "The results of the Wellington poll were conclusive. In the replies received from 27 constituencies, 81.4 per cent, were in favour of a National Government being formed immediately, and the postponing of the elections; while 84.92 per cent, were in favour of the cessation of party politics during the war. Approximately the same re-1 suit was shown in Auckland. \ "As showing the dissatisfaction with the present political position, the ques-| tion of the setting up of a War Council consisting of the best brains in the country, brought an Auckland response of 93.22 per cent, in favour. The Wellington vote was 90.02 per cent, in favour. No less than 84.99 per cent, would give the Council complete executive powers, while, as in "Auckland, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates was supported by the majority as the Leader of the War Council. "The result of the vote taken by the People's Movement is an unmistakable indication of public feeling. It also clearly demonstrates that in the provinces of Auckland and Wellington the people are not satisfied with the present political position. Votes recorded by mail from 55 constituencies were overwhelmingly in favour of the immediate formation of a National Government and the postponement of the elections. COALITION OVERTURES. "A week ago Mr. Holland offered on behalf of the National Party to form a National Government with the Labour Party. Mr. Fraser, on behalf of the Labour Government, said he would consider the position on his return from England: or, if. whilst he was away, the situation rapidly developed! to the national danger, his colleagues! would act on their own initiative and! make their own decisions. Mr. Fraser. j further said: 'If it seems that the1 formation of a National Government is the only hope for the Dominion, we will not hesitate.' "It is indeed time that this . party manoeuvring came to an end. On the same day that Mr. Holland nuide his latest offer to form a National GovernIment, the National Party issued a circular letter to supporters dated April 17: The letter commenced:— "Dear Sir/Madam, "There is no doubt that in October of this year the General Elections will take 'place. .. ." "Continuing, the letter exhorted supporters to organise and', choose candidates. "Evidently the National Party expected that their offer would not be accepted, yet the offer was made with all due publicity. "After the Labour Conference decision against, a coalition,-Mr. Fraser. also with all due publicity in reply to Mr. Holland, said: 'If it seems that the formation of a National Government is the only hope for the Dominion, we will not hegitate.' "It must be obvious to all that both parties are determined to play party politics to the end, and have an election this year. "We would remind Mr. Fraser of a statement he made to the Labpur Conference last week: 'After all, the Prime Minister and the individual count for very little at a time like the present. The people count for everything. . . . There is something more important than the life of our party, and that is the life of the nation.' CALL FOR CONSISTENCY. "Can M*. Fraser suggest a time- more imperative than the present to live up to those words? "The people of this country today are | united as never before in their anxieties land trials. They are united in their i sacrifice and their desire to serve. j They are united in everything save in I leadership. The cry for unity in I leadership comes not from any party j motives, but from the desire to see i that all the national effort is devoted to the supremo purpose of helping to win the war. ( "The very, aspirations of the parties point to their desire to place party be fore national unity. Their leaders know full well that whichever side won. it would represent only half of the people. There can. be no evasion of the position. "If an election is held the rival parties will stand on domestic policies -js far apart as the Poles. No matter what war policy is put forward, they will be judged on their known domestic: policies. The cleavage will be there. The contest will be bitter, anri the chances of a coalition following will be practically nil. "The cost of an election to the Government will approximate £ 150,000, and the parties will spend at least £140,000. Over a quatier of a million, pounds will thus be wasted at a time ' when tjie Government is pleading daily and hourly over the air for war saving. Even the children are asked to forgo their pennies to help the WarSavings Account. TO SINK PARTY INTERESTS. "The people are responding to this appeal to save. Now let the political parties demonstrate their will to victory by forgoing personal ambitions, party desires by postponing the elections, and by placing their party funds in the War Savings Account. "So far, the wishes of the people have nol been considered at all. They have been left .completely in the dark Only the National Party and the Labour Party have been privileged to know why party politics must continue to be played during this time of grave national crisis. "The People's Movement asks Mr. Holland to make public the terms of his offer to the Labour Party*..- How

many of his party did he suggest should be in the National Cabinet and what other provisos were made?

"We also ask Mr. Fraser to make public the terms under which he would support the immediate formation "of a National Government. At least that much is owed to the people,"