SUGAR FOR FARMERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 115, 19 May 1942, Page 4

SUGAR FOR FARMERS

SEASONAL WORKERS’ TEA R ANGITIKEI M.P. SENDS TELEGRAM TO MINISTER As a result of repres ntations made by farmers in the Rangitikei distort regarding their inability to Mipp.y sugar for morning and afternoon t«a for such seasonal workers as crutchers, Mr. E. B. Gordon. M.P. for Rangitikei. has despatched the following telegram to the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Minister of Supply:—•'Farmers are experiencing difficultv in providing sugar for crutchers. Much tea is drunk requiring sugar. Farmers cannot meet extra demands from own rations. Can you grant additional rations for crutchers, shearers, etc.? Urgent. E. B. Gordon." men connected with the trade union movement, all of them possessing qualifications for Cabinet rank equal with those of anyone else 1 am acquainted wit h, and all of whom 1 would be pleased to co-operate with in any capacity in the service of the country's war effort, simply could not arise. The proposals ol the Returned Services’ Association, which, on behalf of the Government Party, 1 accepted, have as their cardinal principle unity to be achieved by a War Cabinet, to be selected, it is true, by me as Prime Minister, but to comprise capable men who would be craw n from and representative of not only political parties but also sections of the community directly affected by war conditions which are not immediately represented as such in the House of Representatives. That fact removes Mr. Holland’s picture beyond the range of possibility. Whatever is lo be done in the direction of national unity can only he carried out in the spirit of mutual trust, consultation and co-operation. I will consult freely and fully with the Leader of the Oppot ition and all concerned in regard to every aspect of the matter. As the first step 1 propose again to ask the Loader of the Opposition, in spite of previous decisions, to join the War Cabinet. “In regard to the appointment of men from ou’side Parliament, to ihe War Cabinet. I need hardly quote the appointments of Mr. J. Bevin. Sir James Grigg, or Mr. R. G. Casey to the British War Cabinet, as evidence of what has been done in the United Kingdom, but I must, confess I am perplexed by ihe following quotation I from a report, of a speech delivered by Mr. Holland at Tinwald on January 29 last, which appeared in the | Ashburton Guardian next day: ‘The Opposition since Ihe outbreak of war j had striven for the dropping of party I politics to bring into the Government rhe best brains in the country, in Parliament. or out of it.’" The Hon. W. Perry, president of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association, replying to Mr. Holland. ; aid his association had endeavouted io get an agreement in principle with Ihe proposals contained in the manifesto. The questions of how the proposals would be implemented and what they would probably involve were discussed with the ’ National Party, bul the association aid not consider these were matters for it to decide and suggested they should be dealt with by Mr. Holland and Mr. Fraser in consultation. “In the view of my association Mr. Holland’s reply does not convex the correct impression of these discussions. which were only incidental to obtaining agreement in principle vvth the manifesto. Th** R.S.A. asked for a National War Cabinet with full executive powers, and it was inconceivable to It that such a Cabin-’t would be appointed bv Ihe Prime Minister without consultation with fhe Leader of the Opposition. This is borne out by the Prime Ministers reply." Mr. Perry added that his association would feel that it had gone a long way to achieving the necessary unity for the total war effort if Mr. Fraser and Mr. Holland met discuss the matter on the basis of the manifesto.