The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1940. A Lead Wanted

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1940, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1940. A Lead Wanted

FOLLOWING close upon the Prime Minister’s broadcast on Sunday night, in which he made it clear beyond alt ■ possibility of misunderstanding that he regards the war situation as one of great gravity, comes a report that the Government .does not intend to summon Parliament until perhaps May next. - . „ , It is difficult to believe that this can be true m the face ot Mr. Savage’s moving appeal for the closing of the ranks in the Dominion in order that all classes and all resources of the country might be consolidated in a common front against a common foe. Decision *

The Government seems to be determined to plough a lonely furrow so far as the prosecution of the war is concerned. It is evidently satisfied that it does not need the help for which its leader and other ministers are continually appealing, otherwise it would surely have called Parliament together as soon as possible after the return to the Dominion of the Deputy Prime Minister from the Old Land, where he had been in intimate touch with the Allied leaders. If that had been done, and an invitation extended to the Opposition to join forces with the Government in an effort to combat what is a greater national menace than the average person is disposed to think, we are convinced that the result would have been a breaking down of barriers which unfortunately exist in the country today, and the promotion of a spirit in which none would be for party and all would be for State. Without that spirit it is impossible for New Zealand to exert that war effort which is essential to success.

Govern men l 1 b Lead

But, the Government having evidently decided that there is no need for this unity, it is incumbent upon the Ministry to give the country a lead which will ensure that every available ounce of man-power and every penny of national wealth, shall be devoted to the all important task of winning the war. It cannot be said that such a lead has been given. Mr. Savage, in his broadcast on Sunday evening, could not but have impressed upon his hearers that he was speaking under strong emotion. His words were those of a leader obviously possessing information which convinced him of. the perilous times in which the people of New Zealand, no less than those of the British Empire, are living. He declared that freedom, and all that goes with that inestimable boon, might quite conceivably be lost if the people of New Zealand—to whom he was particularly speaking—did not unite in a defensive spirit.

Fairness of Conscription

He appealed strongly to the young men of the Dominion to enlist in large numbers, and he expressed the hope that the Ne\V Zealand Division would not include a conscript in its ranks. He spoke of his life-long opposition to conscription, founded on the belief that voluntary service was that which conformed to the British spirit of liberty of action, but. he was anything but convincing when he endeavoured to disprove the fairness of conscription as compared with the voluntary system, which moves the best elements of young men to offer their services for war irrespective of the personal loss or inconvenience this may entail. The Real Patriot

The real patriot, the man upon whom his country is always compelled to rely in time of stress and danger, is he who sees the path of duty and cares not whether others fail to tread that path, as he himself does.

That is Mr. Savage’s idealistic conception of war service, but he must realise that in a time of strain such as that through which the nation is passing at the present time, there is good reason why the flower of young manhood should not be allowed to sacrifice itself while others equally responsible are free to please themselves and put their own- interests first. • There can be no question as to the fairness of compulsory military service as compared with the voluntary system. It is obvious that if the war is prolonged, conscription will be unavoidable in New Zealand. Therefore it would seem to be the essence of eommonsense and fairness that it should be enforced as early as possible, before the young men who are fired by the greatest of all ideals—the protection of their country, their homes and their families—are allowed to carry a burden which should be shared by all. . Matter for Regret

It is for this reason that the failure of the Government to call Parliament together and allow a united decision to be made on the conscription question is to be regretted. Mr. Savage made it clear that while he is personally opposed to conscription, there might arise a set of circumstances which would compel him to revise his attitude, a thing he prayed God would not be forced upon him. Admirable as is the sentiment expressed by Mr. Savage, it does not carry weight in the face of the problem with which the country is confronted, and this, coupled with the report that Parliament is not to meet before May, leaves the country in the air so far as a fundamental requirement of national safety is concerned. That should not be. The country should be given a definite lead by the Government of the day. .