WAR PLANS NOT KNOWN

Southland Times, Issue 24138, 29 May 1940, Page 6

WAR PLANS NOT KNOWN

Mr Lee Critical Of Government PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WANTED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 28. “For nearly eight months Parliament has been locked out, the one sovereign parliament in the Empire to be treated so contemptuously during the crisis,” said Mr J. A. Lee, M.P. in a statement this evening. “In consequence, criticism of New Zealand’s war effort and plans is difficult for neither the people, Parliament nor members of the Government party know what New Zealand’s plans and efforts are. As a member of its Defence Council I can only say that no long-distance plan or commitments had matured .up to the date of my exclusion. It is for the Government to determine a policy and for the staff to advise and give effect to the policy. “The Cabinet appears to demand of the Attorney-General, the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Mines practical experience of the activity controlled but where the war effort is concerned the Cabinet seems to treat returned soldiers of the last war as if being returned soldiers and having a measure of experience were major crimes. “In the time of war one of the major qualifications of a Minister of Defence or a Minister in charge of man power is that in addition to the practical experience of a soldier and soldiering there should be power to lead and inspire confidence. No one could say that a single member of the present Cabinet had at any time said or written anything likely to inspire confidence.

NO RECESS WANTED “For myself I am at a loss to understand the need for dictatorial powers over the people and their property. Parliament surely is not going to be locked out for another eight months. We are 12,000 miles from the front line. Britain is today in the .front line. There is surely no good reason why Parliament should not as in Britain remain in session from day to day or meet once a week as necessary. Surely Parliament is not to be asked to give dictatorial power to some extra-parliamentary authority and then adjourn for a long period. Such procedure is not being applied in France or Britain where Parliament meets in the sound of guns. The extra powers granted in Britain have been granted to a parliamentary executive which has regular contact with the House of Cbmmons. “What does the Government intend to do with its powers? Passing legislation achieves no more than the passing of the legislation. No non-parliamentary council should be given supremacy over Parliament. That is not socialism. The Cabinet knows it has no one able to talk the soldier’s language or give the right sort of lead. On the contrary it would be admirably equipped to recruit and inspire a team of duck ana rabbit shooters.” GOVERNMENT’S ACTION ENDORSED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 28. The first quarterly meeting of the National Executive of the Labour Party held in Wellington today adopted the following resolution: — . “That this meeting of the National Executive endorses the action taken by the Government in intensifying the war effort and pledges its unswerving support to any steps that may be necessary for the successful termination of New Zealand’s war effort.

CRITICISM OF WAR PROPOSALS GREYMOUTH, May 28. Tire Westland branch of the National Party yesterday carried a resolution protesting against the absence of a real coalition in the Prime Ministers war effort proposals. Reviewing the powers over persons and property to be conferred on the Government, the meeting expressed the opinion that representation should be granted to all sections m the actual Government responsible tor executing important duties.