POLITICS IN WAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20627, 1 December 1941, Page 4

POLITICS IN WAR

PARTIES’ AGREEMENT MR. COLEMAN REPLIES AIR FORCE STATISTICS Reference to the propriety of fighting by-elections in wartime, in view of the agreement of the main political parties to postpone the general elections, was made by Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., speaktng in Puha on Saturday in support of Mr. Chas. Mills’ candidacy for the Bay of Plenty seat. He took the opportunity of replying to a statement made by Mr. Sullivan, quoting the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, to the effect that no arrangement was entered into that byelections would not be fought, if a member of Parliament met his death with the forces overseas. Mr. Holland held that a sitting M.P. would not be opposed at the elections. This declaration was made, said Mr. Coleman, in reply to his own criticism of the National Party’s action in nominating for this seat. He had said that when the general elections were postponed to avoid a division of opinion that might hinder the war effort, it was understood that byelections would not be contested. The same objections applied to byelections as to general elections; and further, there could be no question of contesting a seat held by an M.P. overseas, since the general elections were not to take place. Air Force Strength Mr. Coleman also replied to a letter published in the Herald on Saturday concerning his references to the 1935 state of the air defence of New Zealand. The letter was by an anonymous correspondent, he remarked, who had come to light at last. The writer took exception to his (Mr. Coleman’s) statement that when Labour took power there was not a single lighting plane in the country; and referred him to the Year Book of 1936 for figures showing the number of air force planes then available in New Zealand. “I admit the existence of the planes this writer mentions,” said Mr. Coleman, “but I repeat that there was not a fighting plane amongst them. I would invite him to read the list again, and ask himself whether any of the machines were fit for service—Moths, a Hawker Tomtit, Fairey lIIF and bombers that could not bomb. Best of the Dominions “Wonders have been done since Labour came to power, however. This is borne out by Air Commodore H. W. L. Saunders, who has stated publicly that on a population basis New Zealand has done better than other Dominions.” Mr. M. Mooney was chairman of the Puha meeting, at which votes of thanks to Mr. Coleman and the chairman were recorded. Mr. E. L. Cullen, M.P., will address a number of meetings on behalf of Mr. Mills this week, commencing in Waimata and Makauri to-morrow. Mr. Coleman also will speak at these gatherings. Large attendances have heard Mr. Mills, Labour candidate, at his meetings in the northern of the electorate. He has had the assistance of the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, Minister of Health, and this week will be assisted by the Hon. J. G. Barclay, Minister of Agriculture. Other leading members of the Labour Party will assist at Mr. Mills’ further meetings at the Gisborne end of the electorate next week.