DECIDING FACTOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24739, 16 October 1941, Page 8

DECIDING FACTOR

WAR-TIME UNITY ESSENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS REVIEWED MR ERASER'S STATEMENT (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. The conviction that in introducing the Prolongation of Parliament Bill he was doing the right thing was expressed by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when he moved the second reading of the Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. The alternative to the Bill, he said, was to enter on the hustings, to expose the weaknesses of the respective parties, and to attack each other on a hundred platforms. He believed there was so much unanimity, unity, and solidarity in the ranks of the people that they would forgo the ■ privileges of an election to express a political opinion for one year rather than split the country asunder when our boys at the front, in the desert, and in Great Britain, as. well as on ships and aeroplanes, were fighting our battle.

Reasons for Measure

Mr Fraser said he proposed to review briefly a few of the incidents leading up to the decision and to give for the benefit of the country a general summary of the reasons for the measure. There was general agreement in the House and in the country that the most important work and duty at present was to do everything possible to further their contribution to winning the war. Everything that promoted national unity and solidarity for that objective was supported, and whatever was likely to cause disunity should be avoided. He thought that statement was axiomatic. "The necessity lor unity became apparent to everybody at the outbreak of the war, and a great measure of national unity has been obtained," said Mr Fraser. "In an effort to get further unity and solidarity the project of a War Cabinet and a War Council was introduced and adopted. Many people thought, and a number still think, that further steps should have been taken in the direction of a National Government. That was not found possible at that moment, and for good or ill it is more impossible at the present moment. " Both the War Cabinet and the War Council have been most successful, and I wish to take this opportunity of thanking the members of both bodies as well as the members of other bodies and committees assisting in the war effort. 1 want particularly to mention that the work of the War Cabinet and the War Council has been carried on in a spirit of complete unity. There has never been any party division, as there ought Hot to be. The questions that have come before the War Cabinet are questions dealing with our war effort, with our forces at home and in the field, with our men in various parts of the world, and how to make our contribution. to the struggle for democracy as. efficient as possible. There have been any amount, of differences of opinion, but never on party lines, andl want to-thank the members of both"-sides'of the House who are in the War Cabinet for their most valuable 'watk/' ) V : Need for Maximum Unity ' Mr-Fraser said that he and,the whole subscribed to the necessity for as complete unity as was obtainable at any time because nothing which had been achieved pr won for the people of this country in social or economic progress would avail if the forces of democracy were defeated in this world conflict. He therefore considered it his duiyia's •Prune,;.Minister to explore the passibilities^of'avoiding any course of set of circumstances which Jwuld.cut across the maximum unitV.-VThe''necessity for that solidarity in his conscience and consciousness by his experiences' and what v he £aw ,'i.n the Middle East >and in Great Britain and through his consultations, with, the leaders of most.of the democratic nations "When-i returned to New Zealand I realised that the question whether the general election should be heldor .not had;, to be faced up to," Mr Fraser continued!;'£'We had to address - our-selves'-'to It, and again I considered it my chity to endeavour to" the best of my. .ability' and with, the means at my disposal to ascertain what was the mind of the vast mass of the people on the question whether in,the midst of a serious war, situation a general election should be held. It is' no secret, among my friends- at any rate, that I explored every possibility, and I was forced —I use the word ' forced '—to the conclusion that any steps in the direction . of a complete National Government would cause more disunity at this moment than unity. I am not commenting on the desirability of a National Government or whether it would have been the best course or not; but I do say that my research into the possibilities left me without any doubt whatsoever that steps in • that direction would cause greater disunity, than unity. Exhaustive Examination " Members of the Labour Party were willing to discuss any possibilities. The matter came ud whether or not the election should be postponed and the life of the present Parliament extended for one year. I am not giving away any party secret when I sav that, and the same must be true of the Opposition —that there : was. a great searching of hearts and souls iand conscience on the part of members who were confronted with the problem. "After all, it is a serious matter for members of the House who have been elected for a period of three years to take by their own means and by their own votes a longer period. I think I nan speak for the whole House, and certainly for myself and my associates in the Government and in the party I lead, when I say that if we thought that the step that is now contemplated would be taken against the will of the majority of the people of this country this Bill would not have been introduced. " I feel I know that what is looming largest in the minds of the people at the present time is the war generally, the situation in Russia, with Moscow and Leningrad threatened, and very serious possibilities that trouble may suddenly flare up in the Pacific if Moscow and Leningrad fall. It is only natural that in thousands of homes throughout the Dominion the hearts of fathers, mothers, and relatives are with their lads in the desert to-night more than with any thoughts of an election or of Parliament.

Opposities cries of " Hear! Hear!"

Prospect Not Alluring

Like other members, he would not shirk controversy, Mr Fraser continued, particularly when matters of principle were at stake, but he could certainly not have any enthusiasm for entering a political fight or for forcing a political fight upon the country when he felt that the people would rather avoid such a conflict. Whatever he might think of his political opponents, and what they might have said and would say about him again, he saw no particular allurement in engaging in such a conflict, important as it would be in any circumstances, when our boys were in the desert and might be facing bombing and air attacks. The matter was discussed in due course and as speedily as possible at a Labour Party caucus, and there was great hesitation. Members had to feel that'they were not robbing the people of the opportunity +hev wanted of passing verdict upon the Government, that they were not flouting the people's will, and that an extension • of Parliament was in line with democracy. They had to feel that they were not affronting democracy and in the emergency of the war situation forcing on the people an election they did not want and which would be a totally unwarranted blow.at national unity. In an' election period people who were working together in. oatriotic societies, the E.P.S., and the Women's Auxiliary

would be fighting each other. He could not imagine for a single moment that that would help. Mr Holland Approached Following the discussions with his party and discussions generally he was approached by members of both sides of the House and the desire to postpone the election and prolong the life of Parliament was expressed very definitely to him. He considered that in the circumstances the proper course to adopt- was to approach the Leader of the Opposition to discuss the matter quite frankly and see what opportunity there was of having unanimity. As a result of the correspondence with Mr Holland and consideration not only by the two largest parties, but others who were not affiliated to any party, this measure was before the House. The full correspondence was read by the Prime Minister, who personally thanked Mr Holland for having made the measure possible and acceptable. There was nothing to be gained, particularly in a period of crisis.'by keeping anything up one's sleeve. In the government of the country it was fundamental that the Government must govern, and the letter from Mr Holland in no way vitiated that principle. the same time the responsibility of extending the life of Parliament without consulting the people is a very great one," Mr Fraser said. "During the present war period wc have had to assume very considerable and very great responsibility. Before the end of the war, which no one can see at the present moment, we may have to assume greater responsibility, and I do not think members of the House will shirk assuming that responsibility if they feel in their hearts and conscience that it is the right thins; to do."