NOT READY TO LEAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24250, 16 April 1942, Page 6

NOT READY TO LEAD

The Prime Minister's statement to the Labour Conference on the question of a National Government is revealing. For the first time it is made quite clear that Mr. Fraser personally favours the formation 'of an all-in Government, but that in this matter he is not a free man. He is chained by his party and the union leaders, and at present is net able or willing to break those chains. This is a sorry confession and completely out of tune with the high note he struck when he told the conference : "I believed, and had a vision which I still have —it is not a delusion—that we should be strong enough to lead the country as one united force through the war until our country was out of danger and our cause victorious, without sacrificing any ideals or principles." A large majority of New Zealanders hold Mr. Fraser's belief and share his vision. Had he as the country's leader been "strong! enough" to rise above the selfish weakness of his party, had he sought to give his belief in and vision of unity their political expression in an all-in Government, he would have received overwhelming popular support in a country faced by invasion and accepting almost total military mobilisation. of its menfolk. Mr. Fraser JtMMiotf, beeiHatrong-onough ia-the

past to graduate from party headship to national leadership. He is not yet strong enough. He cherishes a belief and a vision; he sees the country's good, but still lacks the courage to serve it. And "if the occasion did arise" when he felt he could no longer continue on party lines, the Prime Minister gave a pledge to the conference, not that he would try to unite the people according to his belief and vision, but that he would hand over to those who insist that party Government should continue. In the final analysis Mr. Fraser puts loyalty to party above service to his country. He who should lead allows himself to be led along a narrow factional path, contrary to his belief.