"CRITICS WELCOME"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23661, 21 May 1940, Page 8

"CRITICS WELCOME"

rOLICY OF GOVERNMENT SUGGESTIONS INVITED REPLY TO HON. A. HAMILTON [by telegraph—PßESS association] WELLINGTON,, Monday .An assurance that when Parliament assembled lull opportunity would be accorded members for the widest discussion and criticism about the war effort both in regard to general policy and to details, and also for the frankest expression of opinion, was given by the Prime Minister, tho Hon. P. Frasor, in reply to a statement by the Leader of tho Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton. < Mr. Frasor repeated that if any urgent situation arising out of the war developed Parliament would be summoned immediately. Mr. Eraser said the Government fully appreciated the help it had received from Mr. Hamilton and other members of tho Opposition. Mr. Hamilton appeared to bo unnecessarily anxious that tho support given by the National Party to the Government should not be misinterpreted. At no time bad the Government assumed that this would involve blind support or allegiance, and it never expected immunity from criticism of its war or administrative activities. On the contrary, it welcomed constructive criticism and would continue to do so. At the same time, criticism of a carping or hampering nature without foundation would be replied to, if it seemed worthy of notice. Tho Prime Minister welcomed Mr. Hamilton's statement that slackness and faults in administration would be criticised. Any other attitude would bo a dereliction of duty. If charges of slackness and faults were established ho promised prompt and effective remedies. The Government was willing to adopt any practicable suggestion tor the improvement of tho war effort and there was no need to wait until the assembly of Parliament for these to bo made. He would bo pleased to discuss with Mr. Hamilton or his senior colleagues any and every aspect of the war situation at any time. NO SLACKERS IN TEAM MR. FRASER'S ASSURANCE CABINET MINISTERS' INDUSTRY [by TELEGRAPH-r-PRKSS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Monday The Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, said that he regretted that Mr. W. AV. Mulholland, president of the Farmers' Union, who in the present crisis had given good service* to the Government, was reported to have stated at Hastings that there were a number of inefficient Ministers in the Cabinet and that the slackers should be thrown out of the team. "I want to state definitely that there are no slackers in the Cabinet," said Mr. Fraser. "On the contrary, no Ministers have ever been more industrious or more closely and conscientiously devoted to their duties. More often than not their work occupies them from early morning until late at night. The Ministers have never spared themselves in their efforts to serve their country and this fact is generally acknowledged, even by many political opponents of the Government." TIME FOR ACTION s PEOPLE IMPATIENT STATEMENT BY MR. HAMILTON [by telegraph—press association] BLENHEIM, Monday "New Zealand can well take notico of what France's Premier, M. Reynaud, said to his people two days ago: 'Franco awaits action, arid not words from tho Government'," said the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, when interviewed to-night regarding the plan to extend the Dominion's homo defence announced by the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, and tho Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. "What New Zealand needs is an end to talk and a start with definite action. This is what the whole of the people await, and await with impatience." Mr. Hamilton agreed that the proposals outlined were good as far as they went, but the people would require something even more to satisfy them that the Government was really carrying out all that it should in the way of assistance to tho common cause of the Empire. The defence of New Zealand had been exercising the minds of many and it would be recognised that tho Dominion's defence was Empire defence —defence by the British Navy and expeditionary force overseas. Apart from that, however, it would be hoped that the present proposals would make for efficient local defence. Mr. Hamilton was emphatic that more must be done to transfer men from non-essential public works to production. With the loss of European sources of primary produce the call to New Zealand must be more and more production, and there was no doubt whatever that something more positive was needed than just a plan. Action i was needed.