PARLIAMENT TO MEET.

Evening Star, Issue 23553, 17 April 1940, Page 6

PARLIAMENT TO MEET.

This country so far has not suffered much from tho effects of the war. There is a tendency to be lulled into a sense of false security and to rest on the comforting assurance that all will come right in the end. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that there is no justification for such an attitude. The Empire is fighting for its very existence, and failure would mean goodbye to our hard-won freedom and democratic -privileges. One thing that stands before all others in this small country is that to help to defeat a malignant foe the people must work together in harmony till tho great purpose is, accomplished. After what has happened in Czecho-Slovakia, Poland, Finland, Denmark, and Norway, with a terrible tale of atrocities committed, he must be blind indeed who cannot see the dangers that we run. Wisdom as well as courage and determination is needed. In this connection the Leader pf the Opposition has advanced some pointed reasons why Parliament should be called together. It had been intended that the two Houses should sit in February, but the late Prime Minister’s illness, with the fact that there was no urgent need for political consultation at the moment, was a valid reason for delay. It is satisfactory to note that in reply to Mr Hamilton the Prime Minister has intimated that Parliament will be called together early in June, and that if any serious situation arising from the war develops in the meantime members will be called together immediately. Our Parliament is supposed to ho a repository of the wisdom of the country, and if that is the case obviously it should not he the task of Cabinet only to direct the Dominion’s war effort. Ministers will, of course, make the final

decisions, but these should be helped by the knowledge and experience of members of both political parties. Very aptly Mr Hamilton has placed before the country an outline of what has bean done' in Great Britain since the war began. His authority is Lord Strabolgi, who for thirteen years sat in the House of Commons as a Labour representative, and is now a Labour Peer. The position is that the Opposition parties in the House of Commons have promised general support to the Government for the prosecution of the war, while retaining their right to make criticisms which have been of a constructive nature. One of the most important results was that drastic regulations which it was proposed to put into effect were submitted to a special committee representative of all parties with a view to agreement. Further, the Leader of the Opposition is in direct contact with Ministers, who keep him informed of the developments and consult him on matters of particular importance. In addition, liaison officers act between particular Ministries and the Opposition parties. These arrangements appear to be working smoothly. Of their importance there can be but one opinion, and some such procedure might be adopted in New Zealand with advantage. For the time being all peace-time legislation is being dropped at Home, and no Bills unconnected with the prosecution of the war are being introduced. The gravity of the situation is illustrated by the political truce now existing at Westminster. It is an example to New Zealand. The decision to call Parliament together is wise, and it is to be hoped that the introduction of controversial domestic legislation will be eschewed till the major issue is settled. Mr Fraser has inspired confidence in the people by his handling of the war Situation so far. It is to be hoped that when Parliament does meet party differences will be set aside in the realisation of the urgency of making the country’s war effort comprehensive and effective.