FUTILE SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24277, 19 May 1942, Page 4

FUTILE SCHEME

POLITICAL HUMBUG "ALMONDS FOR TOOTHLESS" (0.c.) ' TE KUITI, Monday "It would be difficult to conceive anything more futile and fantastic than the substitute scheme for an all-in Government which has been announced with the Prime Minister's said Mr. F. W. Doidge, M.P. for Tauranga, at a meeting of the National Party representatives to-day. Mr. S. Walters, president of the Waitomo branch of the party, presided over about 150 delegates. "If he is serious, why does not Mr. Fraser follow the example of Mr. Winston Churchill?" Mr. Doidge asked. "In the House of Commons, with 615 members, the Labour Party has a representation of 150. As an Opposition it is proportionately much weaker than the Opposition in the New Zealand Parliament, yet in Britain's National Government 12 portfolios, as well as the leadership of the Commons, are held by the Labour Party. "Mr. Fraser, pledged to the people in favour of a National Government, but prohibited by the Labour Party from fulfilling that pledge, hails with delight the loophole provided by the overtures of the Returned Services' Association. He seeks to solve the problem by setting up an enlarged War Cabinet, the members of which would be without executive power. At the same time all the present members of the Labour Administration remain in office and retain their portfolios, which means that all the executive power is theirs. "We already jwssess a War Cabinet, which is impotent. Just how impotent was indicated a few days ago when Parliament was presented with a \\ ar Budget of £133,000,000 which the War Cabinet had never seen. What possible purpose does the Prime Minister hope to achieve by enlarging a War Cabinet whose members are to be without executive power? One is reminded of the old Chinese prober!), 'To those without teeth, the gods bring almonds.' "For over a year the country has been clamouring for a National Government," Mr. Doidge concluded. "For more than a year the Prime Minister has led the people to believe they would get what they wanted. The offer nowmade will be rated as sheer political humbug, y a National Government is not forthcoming, a general election is the only alternative." AN IMPERATIVE NECESSITY DAIRY ASSOCIATION'S VIEWS (P.A.) DUNEDIN, Monday Strong support for the proposal that a Natioual Government should be established in the Dominion is contained in the annual report of the South Island Dairy Association. "The events which have occurred in recent months," the report says, "have indicated clearly how imperatively necessary it is that a National Government should be formed without further delay. Unfortunately there appears to be a section of irresponsible people who do not realise the country's danger and are more concerned with their own selfish interests than the security of New Zealand. We feel sure we are voicing the feelings of all the people we represent when we say that the country cannot afford any longer to allow the wishes of the large majority to be flouted. In a time of extreme crisis such as now confronts the nation we must have a Government which will not permit any outside body to dictate its policy or prevent any actions which are necessary to ensure that everything possible is done to bring the war to a successful and speedy conclusion." SUNDAY THEATRES EXPERIMENT IN SYDNEY DEMANDS FOR EXTENSION SYDNEY, May 14 The first opening ot theatres on Sunday in Sydney, tor Allied troops, has been followed by demands for extension. Several Labour members of the New South Wales Parliament, including at least one Minister, are moving to induce the Government to allow munition workers to attend the entertainments. The only civilians allowed admittance last Sunday were friends accompanying members of the Allied fighting forces. Mr. M. A. Davidson, member of the Legislative Assembly for Cobar, said yesterday that munition workers were working long hours in doing a great war job. and they should be entitled to entertainment if their time-off fell on Sunday night. The Federal Government has left it to the State Government to carry out its wish that there should be entertainment for troops on week-end leave. The Xew South Wales Chief Secretary, Mr. Baddelev, decided that only two theatres —one films, one stage —would be opened for the first three weeks, to enable the demand to be.gauged. The accommodation (2755) at the picture theatre opened last Sunday was insufficient, and hundreds were turned away after waiting in queues which stretched half a block in two directions. Troops paid half-price, but full price was charged for their companions. At the stage show, a vaudeville programme. all the 1933 seats were not filled. Full rates, from 5s 4d to Is. were charged for both the troops and their friends. Two other theatres will take their turn to open next Sunday. Their total accommodation is 1200 less than that provided last Sunday. THROWN FROM A HORSE (0.C.) HAMILTON, Monday Head injuries and bruised ribs were received by an apprentice jockey, Edgar Coe, aged 14. employed by A. C. Jones, trainer, of Te Rapa, when he was thrown from a horse he was exercising and was dragged some distance. The horse was startled by the barking of a dog.