Would Resign7

Northern Advocate, 25 May 1949, Page 4

Would Resign 7

AUCKLAND, Wed. (P.A.)-r “Let there be no misunderstanding about the National Party’3 attitude on defence.

“We accept it as our duty to carry a full share of the burden and, on becoming the -Government, will make full provision for universal training,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) today. 1 “The decision of the conference of the Labour Party to reject the recommendations of the Prime Minister wefe voiced in the strongest terms and with the deepest connections, discloses the appalling position into which the Government of this country has deteriorated. “It is easy to see who governs New Zealand. “Mr Fraser has said that the entire Cabinet and, with one exception, tha' whole Parliamentary Labour Party, was unanimous that universal training for defence was the plain duty of New Zealand, yet an outside organisation having no responsibility to the electors, can override the Government of the day and turn down the unanimous recommendation of caucus.” It was sad to think, said Mr Holland, that the power of outside pressure was such that the Government refused to govern, refused to share adequately with the Mother Country the burden of defence, and refused to do its duty. “The Prime Minister is quite right when he says that 19 out of 20 people will condemn the Government for not making adequate defence provisions,” he added. “If I were made to suffer the same humiliation that is the Prime Minister’s lot, I would resign my leadership of the National Party on the spot.”