UTMOST EFFORT

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21035, 10 February 1940, Page 9

UTMOST EFFORT

DOMINION AND WAR NATIONAL PARTY DETERMINED SOME URGENT CONSIDERATIONS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday “New Zealand's maximum war effort more than ever depends upon wholehearted co-operaticn between all sections of the community,” said the Leader ol' the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in a statement issued to-night on behalf of a caucus held to-day of the Parliamentary members of the National Party. "The National Party members of Parliament,” says the statement, “are still determined that New Zealand shall do its part in the defence of the Empire in this war, and no consideration will turn them aside from this as a first objective. “In normal circumstances it would e unnecessary to point out the practical work National Party members have done to further the war effort, not only in active recruiting work, but in many other spheres of war work,” the statement continues. “Our people are doing much already; they are prepared to do still more when given the opportunity. This caucus wishes to reiterate that it is firmly convinced it is the Government’s duty to promote a spontaneous national co-operative effort by the example of its own policy and its own actions. Disloyal Propaganda “The caucus considers it its duty to New Zealand to call the attention of the Government to the activities of certain persons and organisations which are definitely designed to discredit and undermine New Zealand’s contribution to the Empire’s cause. Foremost in this is the indulgence by many in organised subversive propaganda, all of which is deliberately and diametrically opposed to the statement of the Government’s . war policy as outlined recently for the Government by the Attorney-Gen-eral, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason. The inactivity of the Government in not facing this question is to be deeply deplored, and this caucus cannot too strongly urge action in support of warnings it has already given to the Government. “Unless the situation is handled immediately and firmly, what is already a menace will grow like a cancer in our midst. It is distressing that not only is this disloyal propaganda being led by supporters of -• oreign influences against Great Britain, but it is being actively supported by some high officials of the Labour Party, some Government members of Parliament even, and by employees of the State. Political Activity “Rarely in the history of the Dominion have the people of New Zealand required so urgently a lead from their Government as is the case in to-day’s crisis. Yet the whole of the National Party members are bending every effort to further the Empire’s cause. We find Ministers of the Crown still delivering purely political attacks over the broadcasting network, in addition to which over the same network, in direct defiance of the Government’s own regulations, organisations and individuals are being allowed to prosecute attacks on the currency and banking system of the Dominion. “One other point which is not helpful to the nation’s cause, and which is to be deplored, is the announced decision of the Government actively to revive party warfare with mass party demonstrations throughout New Zealand. Session of Parliament “In the face of the National Party’s determination to place in the forefront of its activities the Empire’s need and New Zealands’ war effort in this terrible crisis, the National Party must enter an emphatic protest against the action of the Government in not calling Parliament together on the date to which the adjournment was taken, February 8. It is obviously necessary in protecting the welfare of all sections of the community that in times of such difficulty and stress matters of national importance should be fully discussed by Parliament. The Government in this did not act in the best interests of the public welfare. “Many other subjects were discussed by the caucus, some of which were considered to be of equal importance and urgency to those mentioned in this statement.”