LEADERSHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24244, 9 April 1942, Page 4

LEADERSHIP

Sir, —Talk has had its use, in bang* ing up opinions from all sides. # FfO!B E. Ward, whose letter appeared in the Herald of March 31, comes a concrete proposal on this subject of national leadership in time of peril. If it m. generally agreed that military command by our; Governor-General/ «?to experts in every field under bM» would best help out our busy Government, it must be understood by Mr. Eraser and by all that there is no political animus nor personal bias ; u» such agreement. Democracy would not be jeopardised, since by the people's voice the request is made; Government would not .a* confused nor set aside, since • ther* would be no more disruption the quite frequent changes brdugn* about in England; and Parliament would certainly still have a very.ran* time job. ■ s The fact is, Government has too many issues to deal with: an enlarged and 'supreme War Council, with democratic military leadership, showa surely lift a /great weight from men who, however earnest, are not military experts. It would certainly ease .the mind of New Zealand, which, in wna> ever it demands, only asks utterly useful, to be mobilised 100 pe| cent, to be.disciplined and ordered ana trained to the remotest corners of dear land for its preservation, and *° prove our own pride and honour,. Peril has done democracy ; a S? 6 *' service, for democracy, aimless o" asleep, then worried but ine£Eect«a*|" has now broken through that dreadful lethargy, and its voice, the voice o* the people, is now nobly, strongly* raised. . ■■- The Churches are on the march toward practical application of CbmtJjn principles. Everywhere is the cau_»or a clean and sober New Zealand, and a« true patriots with a conscience tor their country are joining up, worJang with truly democratic fearlessness an* fair-mindedness. , .. It would ha well for this N.Z. of ourj if Mr. Eraser, under military commana or otherwise, responds to this selll?** people's voice with like deep appreew tion of the grand, courageous pnnapu» of democracy which may yet, not cause of Government, but because-?* a live, articulate people, fteßjggj through all peril and chaos— impre** nable. «0. M. Brtrbs^