Evening Post SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1942. STRENGTH AT THE TOP

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 50, 28 February 1942, Page 6

Evening Post SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1942. STRENGTH AT THE TOP

Failing what is considered the best possible method of uniting the country, namely, a truly National Government, the New Zealand Farmers' Union advocates a strengthened War Cabinet, with wider powers, including control of all phases of the country's activities impinging on the war effort. The strengthening sho.uld be achieved by the introduction into the War Cabinet of men of proved energy and administrative ability, irrespective of political considerations and, if necessary, from outside politics. We still believe that a real National Government would be the best solution, but. in spite of statements that the question could be reconsidered if the war position became more serious, the entry of Japan to the war (surely a sufficient justification) did not bring this nonparty Government. The next best course is that urged by the Farmers' Union. Probably it will be said that the War Council meets this need. It does so only in a limited way. Its members are drawn from a wide field, but they have consultative powers only. They can advise, but they cannot act. They do not share in administration. In fact, administration is still upon a party basis. Moreover, the War Council members are chosen largely because they represent large sections. Though their personal capacity may be high, that alone would not assure their inclusion. The man of capacity who is not representative of a major interest would not be included.

There are two aims to be achieved: (1) to decide upon the best and most thorough national war policy; (2) to arrange its forceful and efficient operation. On the first point the greatest present weakness is that finance is still largely a party question. The War Cabinet controls war expenditure, but the party Cabinet decides how other money shall be spent and how the whole of the money shall be raised. Because a war finance plan must include not only war spending, but the reduction of spending for other purposes, this limitation of the War Cabinet's authority is a serious restriction. Equally serious is the need for strengthened administration. The war effort is a business, and the ramifications of that business have been immensely extended since it became necessary to intensify internal preparations. A great extension of defence has been called for, also all the civilian defence measures embraced by E.P.S., the control of supplies, and the best use of manpower. This demands much more than the decision of a general policy and perhaps vigorous platform support of the plan. It means careful guidance of the whole effort through all phases of its application. Can it be said that that is being done now? Do not numerous questionings and unresolved conflicting claims suggest that more businesslike and energetic drive is needed? That can be found, but it may be necessary to go outside politics to get it.