POLITICAL ISSUES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24542, 26 March 1943, Page 4

POLITICAL ISSUES

BRITISH DISCUSSIONS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE (Special Correspondent) LONDON, March 21 Mr. Churchill's broadcast speech has given a vigorous stir to the political pot which has been steadily simmering since the publication ol the Beveridge Social Security Report and ils debate in the House of Commons. It is on the domestic issues that there is most discussion at present. There are three main points on which interest is focussed. Firstly. Mr. Churchill made it quite clear that he intends to remain in polities after the war, which is contrary to the idea previously expressed that he would retire after leading the country to victory. Secondly, many people feel that while i Mr. Churchill supported the ideas of, the Beveridge Plan, he indicated that j nothing may actually be done until j after the war. It is observed that there j are likely to be serious repercussions \ concerning this inlerence when the Labour Party holds its Whitsun conference. Four-year Plan Thirdly, it is felt that the four-year plan will have to be presented to the countrv bv a National Government which is representative of the three parties or by a National Government comprising the best meYi of all parties who are willing to serve. This envisages new political alignments. The fact that these points have been seized on for comment rather than the broader international issues of Mr. Churchill's speech reflects the hea\Uncharged political atmosphere. The background to this is that Parliament has long outlived its allotted span. There has been increasing restivcness in recent months at the political truce in which, when a seat became vacant, it was given without opposition to members of the party _ which previously held it. Dissatislaction began to grow when .Independent candi-, dates forced bv-elections successfully. Effect of Churchill's Speech There has also been strong opposition in both Labour and Liberal Parties to the Government's attitude regarding the Beveridge Plan, causing internal dissension in both parties. It has been observed that _ Mr. Churchill's speech was partly designed to discourage discussion on post-war policy for some time, but the three points mentioned have raised so much speculation that discussion is l ' ei »S stimulated instead of subdued. One ot the chief points is that many people hold the opinion that a large part ol the reconstruction programme must be passed into law before peace is w°flit is believed that' in some ways the speech will ha,e a steadying mi uence and in other ways that it will be highl> provocative, but the fact remains that as far as domestic matters are concerned the speech was almost overdue, for restlessness has been growing regarding future policy. Mr. Churchill s statements now provide a chopping block for constructive discission.

ELECTIONS IN DENMARK democratic ideal wins STOCKHOLM, March 21 The Danish National Union bloc, representing live major parties won 140 of the 144 seats m the Lower House in the Parliamentary elections yesterday, gaining three seats over the total in the last Parliament, lhe coalition is known to have the approval or Kin" Christian. The Nazi L'arty held its three seats, but the Peasants Party, which tho Nazis were supportin"-, lost two of its four seats. Renter's diplomatic correspondent comments that this is the only Parliamentary election held in Europe, except Iceland, since the outbreak ot war. It vielded an overwhelming majority for the democratic ideal in the teeth of German occupation. Mr. Christmas Moller, leader of the Free Danish movement in London, said the election had one main issue—for or against Germany. "The answer." he. said, "is plain. Nearly 2.000,000 Danes voted against Germany and only 68,000 for. The Germans are trying to persuade the world that the result means that all Denmark supported the present Danish Government, but the leaders of the five principal Danish parties declared before the poll that the issue was not whether the country was for or against the Government, but i'or or against democracy. Now the world knows Denmark's answer."

TRAINER LEFT FORTUNE BEQUESTS TO INSTITUTIONS: (Real. 7/-'0 p.m.) LONDON, March 21 Mr. Alec Taylor, whoso skill as a | racehorse trainer earned him the title | of the "Wizard of Manton." who died i last January, aged 80, left an estate! of £505.790*. From 1900 to 1927 he j trained over 900 winners, netting over £'Boo.ooo in prize-money. j Horses trained by Mr. Taylor won all the classics, including three Derbies, | Ho was not a big betting man and was ; never known to bet more than £25 on j a horse. Mr. Taylor bequeathed £20.000 each J to the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund, the j Royal Veterinary College and the Royal j Agricultural Benevolent Institution. j