N.Z. PARLIAMENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20259, 29 May 1940, Page 6

N.Z. PARLIAMENT

WAR PLANS UNKNOWN MR. J. A. LEE CRITICAL LEADERSHIP REQUIRED EXTRA POWERS QUERIED (I’er Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. "For nearly eight months Parliament lias been locked out—the one sovereign Parliament in the Empire to be treated so contemptuously during a. crisis.” said Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P., in a statement last evening. "In consequence of the criticism of New Zealand’s war efforts and plans, it is difficult for either the people, Parliament or members of the Government Party to know what New Zealand’s plans and efforts are. As a member of the Defence Council, I can only say that no long-distance plan or commitments had matured up to the date of my exclusion. “It is for the Government to determine the policy and for the staff to advise and give effect to the policy. The Cabinet appears to demand of the Attorney-General, Minister of Public Works, and Minister of Mines practical experience of the activity controlled, but where the war effort is concerned ,ire Cabinet seems to treat returned soldiers of the last war as if being returned soldiers and having a measure of experience were a major crime in time of war. Confidence Unlikely "One of the major qualifications of a Minister of Defence and of the Minister in Charge of Man-power is that, in addition to the practical experience of a soldier and soldiering, there should be power to lead and inspire confidence. No one could say a single member of the present Cabinet had at any time said or written anything likely to inspire confidence. For myself, I am at a loss to understand the need for dictatorial powers over people and property. Parliament surely is not going to be locked out for another eight months? “We are 12,000 miles from the front line. Britain is to-day in the front line. There is surely no good reason, why Parliament should not, as in Britain, remain in session from day to day or meet once a week as necessary. Surely Parliament is not to be asked to give dictatorial power to ‘some extra Parliamentary authority and then adjourn for a long period. Such a procedure is not being applied in France and Britain, where Parliament meets within the sound of the guns. Duck and Rabbit Shooters "The extra powers granted in Britain have been granted to a Parliamentary executive which has regular contact with the House of Commons. What does the Government intend to do with its powers? The passing of legislation achieves no more than the passing of legislation. “No non-Parliamentary council should be given supremacy over Parliament. That is not socialism. The Cabinet knows it has no one able to talk the soldiers’ language or to give the right sort of lead. On the contrary, it would be admirably equipped to recruit and inspire a team of duck and rabbit shooters.”