Nationalists Call On Govt. For Lead To Country

Northern Advocate, 10 February 1940, Page 5

Nationalists Call On Govt. For Lead To Country

[Per Press Association. Copyrightl WELLINGTON, This Day. ! “New Zealand’s maximum war effort more than ever depends upon whole-hearted co-operation between all sections of the community,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr ■ Hamilton) in a statement issued last , night on behalf of a caucus held yes- ; terday of the Parliamentary members ! of the National Party, j “The National Party members of 1 Parliament,” says the statement, “are 1 still determined that New Zealand i shall do its part in the defence of the | Empire in this war, and no consideri ation will turn them aside from this | as a first objective, j Party’s Practical Work. I “In normal circumstances it would : be unnecessary to point out the prac- | tical work National Party members • ! have done to further the war effort, not only in active recruiting work, but in many other spheres of war work,” the statement continues. “Our people are doing much already; they are prepared to do still more when given the opportunity. “This caucus wishes to reiterate that it is firmly convinced it is the Government’s duty to promote a spontaneous national co-operative effort by the example of its own policy and its own actions. “The caucus considers its duty to New Zealand to call the attention of the Government to the activities of certain ' persons and organisations which are definitely designed to discredit and undermine New Zealand's contribution to the Empire’s cause. Organised Propaganda. “Foremost in this is the indulgence by many in organised propaganda, all of which is deliberately and wickedly opposed to the statement of the Government’s war policy, as outlined recently for the Government by the Attorney-General (Mr Mason). “The inactivity of the Government in not facing this question is to be deeply deplored, and this caucus cannot too strongly urge action in support of warning it has already given to the Government. “Unless the situation is handled immediately and firmly, what is already a menace will grow like a cancer in our midst. “It is distressing that not only is this disloyal propaganda being led against Great Britain but it is being actively supported by some high officials of the Labour Party, some Government members of Parliament even, and by employees of the State. People Want Lead. “Rarely in the history of the Dominion have the people of New Zealand required so urgently a lead from their Government as is the case in today’s crisis. “Yet the whole of the National Party members are doing every effort to further the Empire’s cause. “We find Ministers of the Crown still delivering purely political attacks over the broadcasting network, in addition to which over the same network, in direct defiance of the Government’s own regulations, organisations and individuals are being allowed to prosecute attacks on the currency and banking systems of the Dominion.

“One other point which is not helpful to the nation’s cause, and which is to be deplored, is the announced decision of the Government actively to revive party warfare with mass party demonstrations throughout New Zealand. Parliament Should Meet. “In the face of the National Party’s determination to place in the forefront of its activities the Empire’s need and New Zealand’s war effort l'n this terrible crisis, the National Party must enter an emphatic protest against the action of the Government in not calling Parliament together on the date to which the adjournment was taken, February 8. “It is obviously necessary in protecting the welfare of all sections of the community that in times of such difficulty and stress matters of national importance should be fully discussed by Parliament. “The Government in this did not act in the best interests of the people. “Many other subjects were discussed by the caucus, some of which were considered to be of equal importance and urgency to those mentioned in this statement.”