POLICY DEFENDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23687, 20 June 1940, Page 14

POLICY DEFENDED

NO TIME FOE PARTY

REPLY TO MR. HAMILTON DENIAL OF, COMPLACENCY [by telegraph—special -reporter] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "The battle for Britain may be the battle for Now Zealand," said the Prime Minister, tho Hon. P. Fraser, in the .House of Representatives this afternoon when he condemned party politics and advocacy of sectional interests at the presont time. His speech followed that of tho Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, whose address he said contained the worst features of partisan politics. The Prime Minister was proceeding to deal with equipment for defence when he was "cut off" the air. Ho said the number of men New Zealand could solid from its shores had been conditioned by tho difficulties of getting equipment. The Government had no control over ordinary heavy equipment.

"At no time has there been complacency, lack of concern or lack of cooperation with Britain," Mr. Fraser said. The Government was repeatedly in consultation with Britain, and the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (Opposition-Hurunui) and the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition—Kaipara) had been invited to peruse the cablegrams. Ho did not know how frequently Mr. Forbes was away from Wellington, continued Mr. Fraser, but Mr. Coates had often seen the messages. How often had M>'. Hamilton availed himself of the unique opportunity of obtaining the facts of the situation as revealed in the cablegrams P Mr. Hamilton: I was there very frequently until I found I got the same information over the air. The Prime Minister said he was never less concerned than at the moment about party politics. He was more concerned about national unity and national effort. The time might arrive when there was a testing of people's conscience and 110 word should be spoken which would make a division more divided. THE WAR REGULATIONS MORE EXPLANATION WANTED COMMENTS BY MR. DOIDGE [by telegraph—special, reporter] ■' -WELLINGTON, Wednesday "The people of New Zealand feel that if the present Government stays in office there is a grave risk that wo shall not do our maximum to win the war," said Mr. F. W. Doidge (Opposition—Tauranga), speaking in the House to-night. The Prime Minister had taken violent exception to the speech made in the debate by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Doidge said. Apparently Mr. Fraser took the view that in war time he was entitled to live in a political air raid shelter on which the bombs of criticism might not fall. If that position had obtained in Britain Mr. Chamberlain would still be Prime Minister. Mr. Doidge said he was sure the people of New Zealand would want a great, deal more explanation of the war regulations just issued'. If the effort was to bo made, well and good, but they wanted to be sure on that point. The people were quite sure that there would be conscription of wealth, but they were by 110 means sure that there would be conscription of man power. , , "Surely the 40-hour week should go if we arc to put forward our maximum effort to help Britain," Mr. Doidge continued. "It is wrong that at tins stage the Arbitration Court should be considering cases for higher wages and the reduction of hours when that must unquestionably lead to a higher cost of living. Surely it is not right that in the schools and universities there should be hotbeds of Communism, as there are all over the country. The Government should say that it is not going to allow a state of affairs like that to continue." MAXIMUM EFFORT ADDRESS BY MR. SEMPLE APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATION An appeal to all citizens to cooperate in the national effort and give their whole energy to any task which might be allotted to them was made by the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of National Service, in a broadcast address last night. When lie was asked to enter on his new task he had felt misgivings as to uvhether so colossal an undertaking could be handled by one man, he said, but it had become clear to him that the demand was co-operation. If the whole Dominion could work as a team the job could be done. Something more than self-sacrifice 'was needed. Energies must bo organised, controlled and directed to achieve maximum national efficiency. He must ask of the people their whole-hearted confidence. He could give them a solemn assurance that lie would put everything he had into the work. Everything lie did would be directed to ensuring that, in association with the other countries 'of the British Commonwealth, New Zealand would piny its full part in stemming the tide of tyranny. The Minister hoped to give people that lead which was essential if maximum effort was to be secured. He hoped they would accept that lead and make a firm resolvo to play the game to the finish. LIAISON OFFICER MR, H. H. STERLING'S POST [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday A former general manager of the Now Zealand railways, Mr. H. H. Sterling, has offered his services free to the Government for six months and he will be liaison officer to the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple. . "Mr. Sterling is a mdn of wide experience and has a complete knowledge of all forms of transport," said Mr. Semple, in an interview. "He is still a young man with great driving force, initiative and personality, and we have accepted his offer. He is going to work with me and help me 111 the task ahead."