UNITY OF EFFORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23542, 30 December 1939, Page 9

UNITY OF EFFORT

ME. HAMILTON'S PLEA QUESTIONS FOR PARLIAMENT INTERNAL DIFFICULTIES [ur TELEGRAPH —PItKSS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday "The year 1939 was a red letter, year in New Zealand's history, both nationally and internationally, and 1940 promises to present us with equally difricu'fc, if not even in are It-sting, problems," says the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in a New Year message to the people of tin* Dominion. "Therefore, as we pause on the threshold of the new year, it is well to take stock of our position and prepare with great resolution, high purpose, undiinmed hope and enduring courage to faco realities. "The first task of the new year must lie directed to securing 100 per cent unity and efficiency in New Zealand for our war effort. This is a moment for clear thinking and straight and plain speaking. I want it made clear at the beginning of the year that not only has the Government completely to revise both its approach and its policy in securing anything like general confidence in its ability to run the country at war, but it has also to undertake never again to transgress by endeavouring to implement the policy of State Socialism in New Zealand under the cloak of war emergency. Urgent Session "I have asked for an urgent sitting of Parliament, since 1 think this is clearly demanded by all recent events and problems ahead if Parliament truly plays its democratic part as the socalled workshop of the people. Apart from the war itself, our internal difficulties deserve extremely urgent consideration. "It would take a volume to enumerate them ail. but here arc a few: — The crying need for some organisation of universal military service and the placing *of the recruiting scheme on a proper basis; import restrictions, leading to shortages of essential goods and raw materials and to unemployment; commandeer of the radio lor party ends in a manner unexcelled by any dictator-country in the world and the public scandal and abuse of trust and privilege unknown in a British country; public and relief works of an unproductive character still going full blast and actually being .extended to further luxury items in the first few months of the war; falling primary production, followed by a farm labour crisis and farmers unable to offer wages competitive with those being offered by the State for unproductive work; the cost of living, which outstrips alarmingly all fixed incomes and salaries to the point of oppressive reduction of the standard of living of average men and women and their families; the financial crisis, bringing disrepute to our good name and further threatened bv experiments by the State which inust further undermine our ability to stand a severe test. Call for Great Effort "For this new year I would say, take politics more seriously than ever before. U is the most important business in the community. It affects your business, be vours the humblest or greatest position in the land. It deserves earnest str.dv - -and attention and ..requires courage and high purpose Nail your, colours to the mast and light to the end against any odds. ISew Zealand needs men and women to-dav prepared to put great effort into la\ ing _ foundation for a really "P 01 *' the war effort and for internal icconstruction."