Ne Alternative to General Election

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 109, 11 May 1942, Page 4

Ne Alternative to General Election

PRIME MINISTER AND NON-PARTY GOVERNMENT Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 9. This was the time, declared Mr. F. W. Doidge in the House on Friday night, when the Prime Minister should take the people into his confidence, for they had a right to know what he intended. For more than a year the Prime Minister had been saying he favoured a National Government, but the people suspected that there was a power stronger than he, because they had evidence of the Labour Conference which had locked and banged the door, and talked of a short, sharp election. All the Prime Minister had to do, he suggested, was to cut himself loose from the party chains. However, he felt that the people had reluctantly made up their minds that they would have to face an early General Election. There was a lack of inspirational leadership. Therefore, the only alternative to a National Government was a General Election. They realised that to win the war required offensive not defensive action, and that they should adopt offensive tactics to get rid of the Government.

Replying, Mr. Fraser said he would not deviate one hair’s breadth from the opinion he had already expressed in respect to a National Government. He befteved it to be in the interests of the country, and said if he could not get all he wanted in that direction he ftaiilsl ta abtais, tks maximum.