The Times MONDAY, MAY 26, 1941. Cannot Muddle Through

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 123, 26 May 1941, Page 4

The Times MONDAY, MAY 26, 1941. Cannot Muddle Through

“I denounce this nonsense about muddling through. You will never muddle through to victory against Germany in this war. Not a scrap of individual comfort or standard of living matters a hoot till we have won this war.” So declared Mr. E. G. MenzSes, Australia’s Prime Minister, in an address at Auckland delivered while on his way home after a world tour of war centres. “Such an enemy would not be defeated by saying we had a just cause,” stated Mr. Menzies. . This message and those delivered by a great leader of the British Trades Union movement, Mr. Holmes, should provide a big and, we feel, somewhat needed, inspiration to New Zealand’s war effort. In some aspects this is a grand effort. The willingness of our men to serve in army, navy and air force is splendid. So, too, on the working front has the response of our farming community been a worthy one. And, having regard to the burdens of taxation and cost of living, patriotic fund appeals have been remarkably well supported. There are unfortunately, however, other features of our war effort that do not measure up to the standard expected in this crisis. And that which must be first mentioned is in a large degree responsible for all that is lacking. There has been too much politics in the government of the country to provide the necessary inspirational lead. By the pursuit of pre-war policy plans the Government has caused suspicion and opposition where faith and unity should alone be present. And from this lack have arisen two conditions that cause grave concern and call urgently for remedy. Firstly, New Zealand as a whole is not working as it should. Secondly, it is spending too much on unessentials and saving too little. Our real and basic living standard is gravely threatened by a lack of production of manufacture. It is little use factories calling for more hands, as if it gets them it is merely by robbing others. So, too, with our mines and in certain other' essential workings. To urge that work people should work harder without an increase of hours, is in effect, to state that they have not been working fully. That is an unjust accusation. On the other hand, we have not that degree of war saving that the crisis demands. Totalisator returns are phenomenal, but war loan subscriptions are not in step. Internally this country must “get down to it”; must work harder and save more. The spirit of our citizens is sound, but what is needed to exploit that spirit is inspirational leadership from the Government as the supreme head of the State.