AGAINST LIBERTY LOAN

Grey River Argus, 17 July 1943, Page 3

AGAINST LIBERTY LOAN

Alleged Sabotage Attempt

OPPOSITION LEADER’S COMPLAINT.

OVER NEWSPAPER ARTICLE,

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, July 16. The following letter has been addressed to the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon IP. Fraser, by the Leader of the National Farty, Mr. S. G. Holland: “Please refer to Page 1 of this week’s official newspaper of Labour Party, qThe Standard,’ which contains a poisonous articles attempting to link the National Party with an alleged attempt, by a certain individual, to injure the recent war loan. 1 need not remind you that my colleagues and I, and also many officials and members of the National Party, have, in common with the officials and members of the Labour-Party, given the appeal for war funds our wholehearted support, with most gratifying results. Regarding the circulation of allegations about the repayment of the loan monies, you will recall my letter to you, offering to associate myself with any statement you cared to make in connection with that very matted I regard the article referred to as a totally unjustified slur, and an attempt to make political capital off people who have honestly endeavoured to help the Government in a national cause. I feel entitled, in common fairness, to ask that you to repudiate base insinuations contained in article, and feel that you will join with me in deploring any attempt to make political capital over a matter which you and I, in the names of our respective parties, used our combined influence to make so great a‘ success.”

“STANDARD’S” REVELATION. In its article, of which Mr Holland complains, the “Standard” stated:— So the Third Liberty Loan was a tremendous success in spite of the efforts of certain misguided political, propagandists, whose hate of the Government was so great that they attempted to sabotage the war effort rather than have the war loan a success. Some people, good people, will find it hard to believe that there are others in the community who would do this sort of thing. But why did the Minister of Finance find it necessary to explain over the air that the money lent to the Government in the Third Liberty Loan would be repaid ? Perhaps this is the answer:—“l would like to bring to your notice misrepresentations by a traveller for

named . After castigating Ministers of the Crown, Members of Parliament and all and sundry connected with the Labour Movement, he made the statement that money being subscribed to the present WarLoan would not be repaid. This was said before six members of the staff, of the on the day the firm’s accountant was canvassing the staff for National Savings. If this man is allowed to do this everywhere he calls, untold harm may result. 1 trust that you will see this is not continued. Should you desire, I caq supply the names of the staff present when he made the statement-” That letter came from Waimate, in South Canterbury, and the names missing from the letter as published have been forwarded to the proper authorities for action to be taken.

But Waimate was not the only place in the Dominion where this sort of campaign was indulged in—a campaign inspired by the lowest form of political spleen. Obviously those conducting the campaign in Canterbury were not supporters of the Labour Government or Labour Who then would they support ? Again, obviously one of the parties that are opposed to Labour, and, recalling the financial campaign against the good name of New Zealand under the Labour Government, which supporters of the National Party conducted back in 1937, when one of the stalwarts of Mr S. G. Holland’s present Parliamentary team. Mr Endean, admitted that, “He had sent some (money) himself” out of the country, it is fairly plain that the campaign against the Third. Liberty Loan emanated from supporters of the National Party. It would be very wrong for us to suggest that the National Party officially had any part in this campaign. They did not. Indeed the leader of the party, Mr Holland', a'nd other prominent members of the party gave full support to the loan, but, as we have indicated, there are those who support the Tory party who have done this sort of thing before.