A COALITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24627, 7 June 1941, Page 8

A COALITION

DISCUSSION BY FARMERS HOLDING OF ELECTION OPINION SHARPLY DIVIDED (P.A.) INVERCARGILL, June 6. A sharp division of opinion on the question of the formation of a coalition Government and the pcstponement of the general election for the duration of the war was revealed at a conference of the Southland Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union today when a mo tic n was proposed urging that a representative coalition Government should be set up and that the general election should be postponed for the duration of the war. The motion was moved by Mr A. R. Jchnston. "We want an election. Feeling is running high in New Zealand to-day," said Mr R. Sim. "Some of the members of the present Government did not give a very great account of themselves in the last war. There are not many people prepared tc say that, but the feeling is current to-day, even among the soldiers. Have they any confidence in the present Government? "An election at present would be disastrous," said Mr B. Clearwater. "An election would result in 45 per cent, recrimination, 45 per cent, pingoism and flag-waving, 5 per cent. local politics and 5 per cent main issues. If an election is fought at the present time breaches will be created that will take years to heal. What is to be our attitude if the present Government is returned to power?" Mr Johnston said that at the front men of all classes were standing shoulder to shculder to win the war. There were no politics at the front and there should be the same spirit in the Dominion. The only thing that mattered was the winning of the war, not which party should govern the country. "I served in the last war and it is hard to take orders frcm certain people, but they are on the horse's back and it is our duty to support them. They are the duly elected representatives of the people," Mr Johnston concluded. The motion was carried. POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTION REQUEST BY PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 6. Arrangements are being made by the People's Movement for a representative deputation to wait on the Acting Prime Minister (Mr W. Nash) and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, to place before them the desire of the people for a national Government and a request for the postponement of the general election till after the war. In a statement the Movement says that the demand to-day is to cease party politics and for a proper realisation of the people's will to work arid sacrifice under real leadership.