INJURY TO WAR CAUSE

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 18

INJURY TO WAR CAUSE

GOVERNMENT EXHORTED TO SUPPRESS SUBVERSION NATIONAL PARTY VIEWS [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 9. <• Js'ew Zealand’s maximum war elfort more* than ever depends upon wholehearted eo-operation between all sections of the community,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Hon. Adam Hamilton) in a statement issued tonight on behalf of the caucus held today of the parliamentary members of the National Party. “ The National Party members of Parliament,” savs the statement, “ are still determined‘that Now Zealand shall do its part in the defence of the Empire in this war, and no consideration will turn them aside from this as a first objective. in normal circumstances it would bo unnecessary to point out tlie practical work National Party' members have done to lurther the war effort. Not only in active re cruiting, but m many other spheres of war work our people are doing much already. They are prepared to do stili more when given the opportunity. “ This caucus wishes to reiterate that it is firmly convinced that it is the Government’s duty to promote a spon taneous national co-operative effort by the example of its own policy and its own actions.

" The caucus considers it its duty to New Zealand to call the attention of the Government to the activities of certain persons and organisations which are definitely designed to discredit and undermine New Zealand's contribution to the Empire's cause. Foremost in this is the indulgence by many in organised subversive propaganda, all of which is deliberately and diametrically opposed to the statement of the Government's war policy, as outlined recently for the Government by the AtjornevGeneral (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason). " The inactivity of the Government in not facing this question is to be deeply deplored, and this caucus cannot too strongly urge action in support of the warnings it has already given to the Government. Unless the situation is handled immediately and firmly, what is already a menace will grow like a cancer in our midst. " It is distressing that not only is this disloyal propaganda being led by supporters of foreign influences against Great Britain, but it is being actively supported by some high officials of the Labour Party, some Government members of Parliament even, and by employees of the State. " Rarely in tho history of the Dominion have the people of New Zealand required so urgently a lead i'rom their Government as is the case in today's crisis. Yet while the National Party members are bending every effort to further the Empire's cause we hud Ministers of the Crown still delivering purely political attacks over the broadcasting network, in addition to which, over the same network, in direct defiance of the Government's own regulations, organisations and individuals arp being allowed to prosecute attacks on the currency and banking system of the Dominion. " One other point which is not helpful to the nation's cause and which is' to be deplored, is the announced decision of the Government actively to revive party warfare with mass party demonstrations throughout New Zealand, in face of the National Party's determination to place in the forefront of its activities the Empire's need and. New Zealand's war effort in this terrible crisis. " The National Party must enter an emphatic protest against the action of the Government in not calling Parliament together on the date to which the adjournment was taken, February 8. It is obviously necessary in protecting the welfare of all sections of the community that in times of such difficulty and stress matters of national import-

ance should be fully discussed by Parliament. The Government in this did not act in the best interests of the public welfare. " Many other subjects wore discussed by the caucus, some of which were considered to be of equal importance and urgency to those mentioned in this statement." APPEAL BY COLONEL HARGEST FAREWtLLED BY NATIGNAL PARTY WELLINGTON, February 9. Colonel J. Havgest, M.P., who is now in camp as officer commanding the Second Echelon, paid a short visit in uniform to the caucus of the National Party i" Parliament Buildings to-day to sa'y good-bye to his colleagues as an active parliamentarian. He was very warmly received. In a brief speech, the leader of the National Party (Mr Hamilton) said his colleagues were very proud of Colonel Hargest and the colours he wore. They fully realised the importance and responsibility of his high office, and assured him he was leaving with the sineerest goodwill of them all, and that they would follow his work with great interest. They noticed with satisfaction his appointment had been favourably received right throughout New Zealand. Colonel Hargest said he felt the break with his colleagues very much,, and assured them he greatly appreciated their expression of goodwill. Ho emphasised the seriousness of the struggle in which New Zealand as part of the British Empire was engaged, and urged his colleagues to lend every effort to see that New Zealand gave her maximum war effort. He fully realised the responsibility of his position, and would give of his best to see that New Zealand would maintain the high and honoured record won by our soldiers in the last war. Colonel Hargest said good-bye as his colleagues sana: heartily ' For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.'