Plea For National Government

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 124, 27 May 1941, Page 2

Plea For National Government

Support for People’s Movement

FEILDING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The plea for a National Government was emphasised at last evening’s meeting of tho Feilding Chamber of Commerce, when the president (Mr. H. B. Tate) supported tne proposals of the People’s Movement wnich strongly advocated tho placing in tho oackground of all party politics during the war. “Instead of the Government putting everything into tho war effort thero is nothing out. legislation and legislation concerning its own policy and littlo of the war effort,’’ said Mr. Tate. “Mr. Fraser said: ‘ Wait till I get back and we Mi discuss a National Government.’ I don’t want to discuss politics out I do feel that we would be failing in our duty if we did not give voice to the popular cry to-day io*r a Natioual Government,” he said. Mr. T. F. Fitz Gerald said that he could not help drawing from tho remarks over the air from the Minister of Finance on Bunday night that he had, after hearing lit. Hon. Mr. Menzies, tho Commonwealth Premier, appreciated that there was a war on and there was a need for action on the part of the whole country. Mr. P. G. Guy wanted to know whether a National Government would be on a 50-50 basis. He reminded the meeting that a majority of the people had elected the Government and his view was that it was the moneyed class who were advocating a National Government with the object of preventing the enactment of Government legislation. It was the moneyed class of France, ho said, who had brought about the downfall of France. The Government, he claimed, was fulfilling its duty to the people and he could not see how a National Government could operate in face of a majority decision of the people for a Labour Government. A speaker recalled that the Government had deprived four colonels of their positions because they had given publicity to their views as to a want of preparedness in New Zealand. Tho Government had refuted the allegation but the speaker claimed that the four colonels had been correct. There -was scope for greater w~ar effort but- it seemed that more time was spent on building radio buildings. A National Government was definitely needed. After further -discussion the chamber agreed unanimously to support the proposals of the People’s Movement and the president was appointed to represent the chamber on the deputation which is to meet the Government next month,