The Southland Times SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1942. Mr Churchill Sets an Example

Southland Times, Issue 24675, 21 February 1942, Page 4

The Southland Times SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1942. Mr Churchill Sets an Example

MR. CHURCHILL has responded to Press and Parliamentary criticism by making a partial War Cabinet revision. The changes may not be far-reaching enough to satisfy the critics, who have contended that by appointing a Minister of Defence the Prime Minister would be free to give his time and energy to the broad direction of strategy rather than to its crowding details. Further, although the War Cabinet has been reduced from nine to seven members, most of them still have departmental duties. And the complexity of administration during the crisis of a world war is too great to justify the continued division of effort in high places. But Mr Churchill has nevertheless made one or two notable appointments. The most significant is that of Sir Stafford Cripps to the post of Lord Privy Seal, which carries with it the function of Leader of the House of Commons. A few weeks ago it was reported that he was to become Minister of Supply, and when the report was not confirmed it was suggested that he had asked for a freedom of action which could not be granted. His political reputation has never been higher than it is today. When the British Labour Party expelled him for advocating a popular front it was hinted in the lobbies that the party was “blowing out its own brains.” His intellectual brilliance was perhaps too disturbing for party leaders who have preferred pedestrian and unimaginative policies. But when he went to Russia as British Ambassador he carried through a delicate mission with patience and realism. Admittedly, his success in Moscow borrowed part of its glamour from Russia’s involvement in the war, which came from the necessity of German strategy rather than as the result of Soviet policy. But it is generally believed that Sir Stafford Cripps came closer than any other Englishman to winning the confidence of the Kremlin, where his appointment will be welcomed as a positive and valuable contribution to Anglo-Soviet relations. This possibility would not be overlooked by Mr Churchill, and it is a tribute both to his sagacity and democratic integrity that he was willing to admit a left-wing socialist to the War Cabinet.

The Prime Minister has proved that he is ready to make political sacrifices, even where they seem to clash with the interests of the controlling group in the Conservative Party, to sharpen the thrust of a united war effort. If only he were prepared to go a little further the country would quickly reach new and higher levels of efficiency. But when his methods are compared with those of the New Zealand Government they seem boldly constructive. While Mr Churchill accepts the verdict of public opinion and does what he can to strengthen the Cabinet, Mr Fraser remains surrounded by political mediocrities, and refuses to believe that any improvement is necessary. The present British Parliament is not strongly endowed with talent; but it has never abandoned its rights as a democratic body, and its exercise of those rights is bringing the introduction of badly needed reforms. In New Zealand the Parliamentary Labour Party and the Opposition are equally silent and equally out of touch with the electorates, while elderly and over-worked Ministers continue to grapple with tasks that are obviously beyond their intellectual strength. And these tasks are concerned with the safety of the nation. Mr Fraser rightly endorses Mr Churchill’s policies and statements. Why does he refrain from going a little further and following an example which would release new energies for a jaded and unsatisfactory Cabinet? There is no Sir Stafford Cripps in New Zealand; but the country is indeed mentally bankrupt if no men of proved administrative ability can be found for the special work created by a war-time crisis. It is not enough to have a War Cabinet with limited executive powers and a War Council which meets at long intervals in a purely advisory capacity. The Dominion needs its best brains in administrative positions. Mr Fraser is misinformed or deluded if he believes that the country is satisfied with the type of leadership it is receiving today.