UNITY-IN EFFORT.

Evening Star, Issue 23727, 7 November 1940, Page 11

UNITY-IN EFFORT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Because of the danger which threatens the British Commonwealth, the church Government, and Press are calling for unity and self-sacrifice on the.part of the people of New Zealand, but what do we find in our daily papers? We find the Government’s war efforts combated on every hand. First it was the motor interests protesting against petrol restrictions, one gentleman accusing the Government of trading on the patriotic feelings of the people, and even going so far as to threaten tho Government with the loss of an enormous number of votes at the next election I was surprised that he was not charged with making statements detrimental to the country’s war effort. Next- we have the dairy farmers calling on the Prime Minister to displace the Hon. W. Nash because he would not guarantee them a higher price for their produce. Thev were backed up in their demands by the chambers of commerce. These •ame chambers of commerce have demanded the replacement of the Hon. P. Webb for aomothing he is alleged to have said m n address on the West Coast. I am sure when our enemies read of all bickertag going on in New Zealand they will be ■leased. One can just imagine the headlines in their Press. Make no mistake, their Press will make tho most of it, because it will hearten their people to read that this part of tho British Commonwealth is not as one in its war effort. Have the chambers of commerce and thenlike never given thought to what effect their actions must have on the ordinary man? In my opinion he will be asking himself if the danger is as real as he is led to believe. Can you blame him if he begins to doubt if it is? Another thing, will he not bo inclined to the conclusion that democracy is a failure in a crisis? Have these people never given a thought to what their position will be if we go under in this war? Do they foolishly think that New Zealand by some wonderful stroke of fortune would carry on as it has done in the past? Do they think they would he able to protest against.any legislation that 1 might be detrimental to their business — event of us being so unfortunate as to lose? that is, if they had a business—in the . Another matter I would like to mention is the cartoons appearing in our papers. One night we see a cartoon containing Hitler and Co.; next night some member of our Government is lampooned. It looks to me as if the Press desires to create the impression that the Government is tho common enemy as well as Hitler and Co. Is that fair or sensible at a time like this, especially when- we have had the Press calling on us to sink our political differences? 1 think it is high time some people practised what they preach.—l am, etc., E. C. Fraser. November 7. [There are limits to all things. Our war effort would not be aided if it were decreed' that all criticism and all humour should cease. —Ed. E.S.]