DOMINION NEED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20257, 27 May 1940, Page 6

DOMINION NEED

UNITY IN WAR CONCENTRATED EFFORT TEST OF DEMOCRACY MR. HAMILTON’S VIEWS (Pur Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Outlining the steps the Opposition had taken during the present crisis, the lion. Adam Hamilton, in an interview, revealed that on Friday afternoon, on his own initiative, he waited on the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, and suggested the formation of a National Government. After the caucus of the Parliamentary Labour Party rose on Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fraser said Mr. Hamilton had discussed the situation with him and he, as Prime Minister, had undertaken to convey the Labour Party’s reply as soon as possible. As the caucus did not rise till nearly 3 o'clock, he added, he was unable to give the reply that day. "The lime has now arrived when 1 can tell-New Zealand the step the Opposition has taken during the recent crisis.” said Mr. Hamilton. "On Friday afternoon, by appointment made by me the previous day, I waited on the Prime Minister. “Owing to the gravity of the war situation and the growing expression of great uneasiness in the minds of people of all ranks throughout New Zealand, I deemed it wise to tell the Prime Minister that, in this emergency, he should form a national Government. This was all the more essential * since the evening newspapers of Friday announced in a statement from the Prime Minister that Parliament was being called together urgently to pass legislation of a most extreme character similar to that just passed in England following the unification of people under a National Government. “No Political Advantage” “As Leader of the Opposition, 1 did this for no political party or personal reasons on behalf of the Opposition. I was not seeking office for office’s sake. “What is needed to-day is a combination comprising the fullest representation of all the people so as to secure willing agreement and fully concentarted effort under the most extreme control methods that the crisis has now demanded. “There is only one end in viewvictory. There is now one need only —unity through full representation in the highest administration of the Government. “I seek no party political advantage from it. Any confusion to-day because of any partisan leadership or partisan thinking or acting would be, in my opinion, absolutely inexcusable. If democracy cannot handle itself in this matter it is a national tragedy. “I consider I was not mistaken in representing to the Prime Minister that the grave uneasiness throughout the community, entirely unrelated to party politics, would not be allayed but magnified by drastic action under party government direction. “Hour for a Lead” “At this moment—it is a moment of dire necessity—to say that New Zealand can be satisfied by national emergency administration of such a drastic nature without a national Government is, in my opinion, the grossest form of misjudgment and folly. “This is an hour for a lead' from selfless statesmen and not an hour for playing at politics. The maximum effort demands unification of control in the country’s deliberations. In these dark days, we must aim at national unity to get that maximum effort from a united and determined people inspired by confidence in the unity and ability of its leaders. “I make no apology for my action. I would have been failing in my duty to my country if I had not pointed this out to the Prime Minister and made my offer. “The risk of personal rebuke for party self-seeking could not deter me. The basis of my offer was an ideal. 1 am sure it is an ideal in the hearts of New Zealanders to-day.”