THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 180, 2 August 1941, Page 4

THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK

from the Opposition benches, .Mr. ('. A. Wilkinson made it clear that he did not appreciate the true position in respect Io public political opinion within the Dominion. His declaration that the country really had no interest in what happened in the Waitemata by-election contest, was very much wide of the mark, because public interest was very great despite the more dramatic events which were taking place overseas. Public ini crest was centred upon the fact that the by-election would register the extent of the decline in the Government’s public support, that. I he strength of the I lemoerat ic Labour Party would be revealed, and to some degree by the vote registered by .Mr. Darlow, tin* future prospects of a National Party candidate in the constituency. The by-election did register the ant impaled decline in the Government’s margin; it. did reveal the strength of the Democrat Labour vote; and if did make clear that. the. public was in no mood for unorthodox candidatures. It cannot, be foretold bow the votes which were cast in favour of the Democrat Labour candidate would be distributed in the absence of such a contestant, and Io that extent Hie contest was inconclusive, but it cannot be denied that, the poll did evidence a marked change in I he attitude of a. la rgc section of Hie public towa rd the Government. Mr. Wilkinson also suggested that, when the Prime .Minister returns he should declare an all-parly Government and avoid splitting the country into Hie bitterness of an election. Here, again, the member for Lginoiit errs in his reading ol the situation. Firstly, -Mr. Fraser docs not select his own Cabinet ; it. is nominated by the party caucus, and Mr. Fraser has to accept as his Cabinet colleagues whomsoever wins the majority of the caucus votes. How can a caucus-controlled Prime Minister “declare an nil-party Government”? Finally, there is no point in withholding the general elections in the hope of avoiding “splitting the country into the bitterness of an eleelion.’’ The speeches ol many ol the members of Parliament which arc being broadcast day by day. are bitter diatribes against their opponents. The Standard reeks with partisan bitterness. Every action and inaction of the Opposition is the target for bitter criticism. Bitterness peivades every denial that a National Government should be, or is likelv to be. formed. There could hardly be more ot it in the Dominion than there is to-day. A general election would act as a prophylactic: the postponing of the general election would make matters worse, in that current resentments on both sides, both those that are expressed and those which are. not given voice, will continue to grow. Much of Hie silent resentment is due Io the feeling of frustration on tin part of many, who feel that they could make a valuable contribution Io the life of Hie community and io the war effort, but are not allowed Io do so because they lack the proper political party affiliation, while others feel that the blind eye is being 100 easily turned upon any misconduct which it is politically convenient to ignore. The holding* of a general election will at least give to the public an opportunity to express its viewpoint which, as every by-election in the past three years has indicated (and the Waitemata. byelection is not the least of these), there arc many (lectors whose views have changed.