NATIONAL SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 169, 17 June 1940, Page 2

NATIONAL SERVICE

PREMIER LIFTS BAN. SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 16. Following the intimation by Hon. H. G. 11. Mason, as Attorney-General, that the National Service Movement must be dissolved immediately, telephonic communication took place today between the Prime Minister,.-(Hon. P. Fraser) and Mr Bryan Kingston, chairman, on behalf of the executive, which was then in session. Mr Kingston stated to-night that Mr Fraser had expressed his belief in the bona fides of the movement and had had no objection to its continuing its -existence and pressing for a National War Cabinet and the conscription of man-power and wealth, subject to the condition that, if its activities provoked civil disorder, it must be dissolved immediately. However, Mr Fraser stated definitely in a later, conversation that the proposed general meeting of the members to-morrow morning must not be held because in the interim lie had received many communications from the Auckland Province suggesting that disorder might ensue. , This would not preclude a later meeting when the time was more opportune. Mr Kingston added that the executive had decided, accordingly, to cancel the meeting. INHERENT DANGERS. MENACE TO AUTHORITY. MINISTER’S COMMENT. Per Press Association. ' . WELLINGTON, June, 15. In an interview the Attorney-General (Hon. H. G. 11. Mason) said that he met in Auckland yesterday, two repre-i sentatives of the National Service Association and informed them that the Government took a serious view of the possible developments of. the organisation’s activities as disclosed by some of its propaganda and pronouncements. He thought it probable that the members of the committee, or most of them, did not realise that the path upon which they were entering, and of which they probably saw only the beginning, was exactly the path Hitler’s organisation had taken, and would inevitably lead to the same end. The intentions of the association might he good, but it was clearly a case of the maxim “the path to hell is paved with good intentions.” The Minister discussed the propaganda and instructions of the organisation in detail, and pointed out that these, and especially the indication disclosed by the indefinitely expanding range of the aims for the movement, showed clearly that the organisation could not develop along the present lines without becoming a body first to over-awe and then to supersede constitutional government. national and local, by an irresponsible committee deriving powers from mob violence. The time to avoid entering this path was at the beginning, and the Government believed that the association would disband when the danger was pointed out as clearly as .he had endeavoured to do. but in any event the Government had a dear apprehension of the danger and its duty in the matter, and would take instant action if the association .did not dissolve voluntarily. 1 • DECISION APPRECIATED. “I have since heard that the organisation has cancelled its meeting for to-morrow, and I am very glad of the co-operative spirit shown by it,” the Minister said, after advice had been received from Auckland that the National Service movement had agreed not to hold its proposed meeting. “The action is consistent with what I felt was the essential desire of the executive of the organisation, even if it did not, in my opinion, realise the possibilities of dangerous" developments. I am appreciative of the spirit shown and am sure that on reflection the members will find themselves able to make such adjustments to their organisation as to eliminate an apprehension of dangerous developments. “Emergency regulations will be submitted to the Executive Council tomorrow morning giving the Government power to declare any organisation subversive and thereupon it will be illegal to participate in the activities of that organisation,” 6aid the Attorney-General, following a meeting of the Cabinet. “Though it has been the great publicity engaged in by the National Service Movement that has concentrated urgent attention on this action, there are other organisations likely to be affected by the regulations.” the Minister added. “It is unlikely that the regulations having been passed certain other organisations will escape suppression under them.” DIFFICULT TO SEE. REASONS FOR ACTION. MR HAMILTON’S OPINION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 17. The action of the Government in ordering the National Service Association to disband was referred to on Saturday by the Leader of the Opposition (Hon. A. Hamilton). He said that on the face of it he could not see any reason why coercive or threatening measures need to be directed to crush any general welling-up of the demands from any loyal section of citizens. “I do not know of any underlying subversive reason behind the National Service Association, and, like any other member of the public, I only judge it" on the utterances of those who have spoken at its public meetings,” Mr Hamilton'said. “These speakers have included persons whose loyalty and genuineness, in my opinion, must be beyond question. On one occasion of which I aril aware, a Parliamentary member of the Labour - Party, whose loyalty and love of country have been demonstrated,. was one speaker who received enthusiastic,support at a great gathering of tlie public in Auckland. The demand at that time was for intensified war effort on a united basis.

“So long as any criticism is representing the expression of opinion of a body banding together loyal hearts, and willing hands, and that opinion is expressed and organised along absolutely constitutional lines, I will always recent with all the strength at my command coercive interference with that expression. British men and women cannot be expected to take lying down any coercive interference with their harmless, constitutional activities. PATRIOTIC FERVOUR. “I pointed out to the Government on several occasions during the session of Parliament that the vvelling up of patriotic fervour, inflected in meetings from one end of New Zealand to the other, must hotibe construed as merely political agitation-. It was a true banding together bin a ' common cause, with a desire to work regardless of party and sectional differences, inspired by love of country,, love ■ of home, and love of the traditions which' wo rightly cherish. That .fervour de-

serves the genuine consideration by which it is inspired. Willing, effective and determined effort can, never be reached under any systein of coercion. - ' t . ' ■

“I am not in possession 'of the full facts of this case which has been referred to me. and I trust that, if\there has been anv misunderstanding, it may be quickly removed. I cannot imagine how the Government could have taken action against outside organisations of loyal citizens, and I shall certainly make inquiries os to the exact seriousness of the grounds on which this interference has taken place. If the question of domination ofj the Government by outside influences comes into it. I shall certainly have some plain speaking to do myself on that matter. I will continue to speak equally plainly, too, of the lack of decisive action against disloyal organisations in our midst. They can come out root and branch, with a great gain to our war effort and unity.”