A PEOPLE PLEDGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23896, 25 August 1939, Page 8

A PEOPLE PLEDGED

The peoples of the British Commonwealth of Nations will not know at the present time political division in the face of national crisis. While there may be criticism, even as the clouds gather, of the political group in power for its conduct of such vital affairs as defence or foreign policy, partisanship must and does fade into an obscure background as the impact of crisis is felt. So it is in this Dominion at the moment and elsewhere throughout the Empire. The compelling need for unity of thought and of action has come uppermost in the public mind, and the will has asserted itself to defend a heritage of freedom to the uttermost limits of resource and capacity. When the Leader of the Opposition rose in the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening to assure the Government of the unqualified support of his party in “ every action deemed necessary to meet the crisis that has arisen,” he expressed a resolve that must be shared by citizens in all ranks and of all shades of political belief. There is a tremendous need at this grave junclui'e, while the world waits in the hope of the peaceful resolving of international tension, for clear thinking and calm and studied action. But, should the present state of emergency in Europe degenerate into open conflict, it will be the duty of the Government of New Zealand, no less than that of other Governments within the British Commonwealth, to command every conceivable means of strengthening the forces against aggression. If the hour comes, said the Acting Prime Minister, in acknowledging the very proper sentiments contained in Mr Hamilton’s brief utterance, it will find New Zealand “ united and solid” in resistance of any threat to the rights and liberties of free people. It was unfortunate after that, that Mr Hargest was so flagrantly misunderstood in certain of

the Government benches when he sought to impress the immediate claims of defence over other and surely less urgent outlets of State activity. Mr Hargest rightly argued that the requirements of national security were at the present time of paramount importance, but when he suggested that circumstances justified the diversion of expenditure from public works and social services into defensive channels he was instantly accused, in partisan tones, of advocating the “ robbing of widows and orphans.” Such narrowness of vision does those who reveal it small credit. .Mr Hargest said nothing about the cutting of pensions. State expenditure on social services is not confined to the provision of pensions, nor is expenditure on public works, as contemplated by the Government, to be supported as being necessarily of a defensive character. Mr Hargest, as a soldier of proven experience, was concerned over the smallness—in his view—of the territorial establishment of the Dominion. He has a right, amounting almost to a duty, to express that view, and he has a right also to be specifically understood rather than that his meaning should be distorted through prejudice. The cause of unity will not be helped by a refusal in any quarter to face facts. For it is facts as they are that must be the absorbing preoccupation of all the people—not facts as a few would prefer to see them, even while civilisation is balanced perilously on the edge of an abyss.