POLITICAL SCENE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24620, 30 May 1941, Page 4

POLITICAL SCENE

NON-PARTY GOVERNMENT FAVOURED BY FARMERS CRITICISM OF WAR EFFORT (P.A.) PALMERSTON N.. May 29. Discarding a remit urging the formation of a national Government the Farmers’ Union internrovincial conference embracing the southern half of the North Island to-day carried an amendment stating that a general election was urgently required. Several speakers criticised the Dominion's war effort, alleging a lack of leadership, though others deprecated any attempt to stir up political strife in war-time. A message from Napier says that the following telegram has been sent to the Acting Prime Minister (Mr W. Nash ) by Messrs W. E. Barnard, M.P. and J. A. Lee, M.P.; — “ In view of the situation in the Near East, with the War Cabinet practically broken up and without returned soldier representation, and with Cabinet containing only one returned soldier, and in view, also, of our lack of full knowledge of New Zealand's commitment overseas and Empire policy, we urge that Parliament be summoned at once, so that all the people's elected representatives may have an opportunity of obtaining the information they ought to have, and counselling upon and shaping the policy of the Dominion.”

DEMOCRATIC LABOUR GENERAL ELECTION FAVOURED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 29. The view that because of the prevailing uncertainty in New Zealand on the question of the elections and the despatching of Ministers the Government should make a definite statement about whether the general election is to be held this year is expressed in a statement issued by the national secretary of the Democratic Labour Party. Mr F. M. Earle, which also announces a second list of approved parliamentary candidates for the party. The statement adds: “The Democratic Labour Party believes that short of a state of extreme emergency in the Pacific a general election should be held this year and the citizens given an opportunity of expressing themselves on this country s overseas commitments of man-power, war taxation, the development of local manufacturing industry and other vital matters. Democratic Labour holds that the desire of individuals to retain office or secure office without democratic endorsement is a betrayal or the principles for which gallant New Zealanders are to-day fighting overseas. Candidates who have been approved for selection ballots to be held in each electorate when the date of the general election is announced are as follows.— Messrs L. A. Wheatley R. C. B. Taylor (Auckland), T. W. Dick mid R C. Malcolm (Wellington). P. Adds (Petone), D. S. Chisholm. L. H. Booth, D R. Creswell. Te An Pitama, D. C. Davie and D. S. Nicholson . (Christchurch).