Mr. Barnard On The Spot

Northern Advocate, 12 April 1940, Page 3

Mr. Barnard On The Spot

[Per Press Association Copyright .] WELLINGTON, This Day. Asserting that the statement by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Mr Barnard) that in the war policy “apparently Mr Chamberlain calls the tune and we are to dance to it” was contrary to fact, and made in a manner calculated to mislead the people of Napier, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) last night replied to Mr Barnard’s telegram offering the services of the Defence Committee of the House in recruiting. The text of Mr Fraser’s telegram is: An Invitation Renewed. “I am informed that every member of the Parliamentary Committee mentioned by you has been invited to assist actively in recruiting in their respective districts, and most, if not all, have freely and effectively done so. “The invitation is renewed cordially to all members of the committee, and all other members of Parliament who are wholehearted supporters of New Zealand’s war effort and determination to utilise the country’s entire resources in the present struggle against Nazi Germany side by side with the British Commonwealth and France. Mr Barnard Tested. “In view of the fact that recently you questioned the Cabinet’s right to pursue its present war policy, and that you stated on April 7, contrary to fact, and in a manner calculated to mislead the people of Napier, that “apparently Mr Chamberlain calls the tune and we are to dance to it,” the invitation to yourself automatically presents difficulties, unless you can give an assurance that you are prepared to assist the country’s war effort to the fullest extent on the present basis and can furnish a frank and reasonable assurance that you realise that your conclusions regarding the Government surrendering its sovereign rights in regard to forces sent overseas were mistaken. “If you still adhere to your statement concerning the Government’s war policy it would be obviously impossible for you to support that policy on a recruiting platform, and inevitably confusion would result and recruiting would be injured rather than assisted.”