DEPUTY-LEADER OF OPPOSITION WISHES PRIME MINISTER WELL

Wanganui Chronicle, 14 April 1949, Page 5

DEPUTY-LEADER OF OPPOSITION WISHES PRIME MINISTER WELL

WELLINGTON, Last Nignt (pA) "In departing for me Prime Ministers’ conference in London, Mr Fraser will carry the good wishes of New Zealanders of all parties, ’ said the acting Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holyoake, tonight.

“The conference is of the utmost importance. It is proper that New Zealand should be represented. "I should like to urge- however, that on his return the Prime Minister should, as far as he can, tak» me people of New Zealand into ms confidence. This is lhe second such conference in a period of six months, and the public is entitled to fuller information than they have yet had with respect to matters which may vitally affect them. The people of New Zealand have sufficient character and courage to face up to facts, however unpleasant or harsh. "It is understood that one of the principal subjects at the forthcoming

conference will be the Atlantic Pact. 1 can speak for the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, and our Parliamentary colleagues in saying that we support New Zealand’s participation in the pact. The conference will, it is reported, also discuss lhe Communist menace and special consideration may perhaps be given to Communist infiltration in Asiatic countries. Here we can endorse any steps to halt Communist tactics of penetration and intrigue, while regretting that Communist elements nave received undue encouragement in some quarters in Australia and New Zealand. "Another question to be discussed is the future constitution of the British. Empire. Il is to be hoped that the conference will spare no effort to strengthen the ties which unite the Joyal members of the Empire community. for it is on lhe British Empire and the Western democracies that the peace of the world more than ever depends.”