Doidge Wants Election Next Year

Northern Advocate, 15 November 1940, Page 6

Doidge Wants Election Next Year

[Special to “Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND, This Day.

Mr F. W. Doidge, M.P., addressing a meeting at Devonport last night, said that early in the coming year thoughts would turn to a general election.

“Then, as now, there can be only one issue: war; only one objective: victory,” he said. “At that election I believe the people will decide that New Zealand can make a better contribution to the winning of the war if a National Party Government is in power. “There is an uneasy feeling in the minds of many people that the Government may seek to prolong the life of Parliament, and there is no doubt that the ‘round robin’ on the postponement of local body elections was a feeler.

Example of Dominions.

“It may be argued that Britain’s action is an example We should follow. However, an election at Home is unthinkable while the Battle of London is in progress and Britain is a citadel besieged. “Rather have Canada and Australia provided us with the example we must follow.

“Constitutionally, the position is clear. Mr Fraser, as Prime Minister, has not yet had a mandate from the people. If he seeks to entrench himself in power by prolonging the life of Parliament, it will be a negation of democracy.

“He will expose his Government to the charge that it is afraid to trust the people.

“It would mean that the Government assumes the right to control Without a mandate, and its authorities would rest on legal force and not on moral right. “Strategically, Mr Fraser made a mistake by not going to the country when he first took office. The people were then disposed to regard him as a strong man. “Six months in office have sufficed to expose him as more firmly shackled to the party machine than his predecessor.

Political Possibilities

“The future holds some interesting political possibilities,” Mr Doidge added. “The Prime Minister might decide to seek an accommodation with the National Party; he might offer a truly national Government, or invite a war-time coalition.

“Alternatively, he might seek a compromise with Mr Lee, now so busily engaged in driving a wedge into the Socialist ranks.

“Yet again, Mr Lee may proceed With his declared intention of putting 60 candidates of his own into the field and so wreck the Government.”