UNITY IN WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21052, 2 March 1940, Page 9

UNITY IN WAR

FUNDAMENTAL NEED BEST EFFORTS DIRECTED SHORT SHRIFT FOR TRAITORS lßy Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday “So long as our people are united in their determination to crush things which today threaten the very foundations of our democratic civilisations, then our ultimate success is certain/’ said the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in an address today at a meeting of the Dominion Council of the National Party. The council carried a resolution supporting the appeal for national unity in New Zealand’s war effort made by Mr Hamilton in a speech in Palmerston North this week. It also expressed the view that winning the war must be the first consideration of all people of the Dominion and that every organisation should direct its best efforts to that end. “Overshadowing all our feelings today is the fact that we are New Zealanders and members of the British Empire.” said Mr Hamilton, “and the common cause of all freedom-loving people against aggression and oppression, the ruthless rule of force, demands absolute unity to ensure the effort required to win the war. The fate of all freedom and peace-loving people hangs in the balance, and no man or woman can afford to shirk his or her responsibilities today to place before everything else the defence of the things we hold most dear. No Provocative Action “The National Party organisation has grown. While representing a minority only at the election, it still represents an extremely large portion of the population, and in that representation I am sure every executive section of the party realises its great responsibility in this crisis. That realisation means above all else the grim determination to support everything that means winning the war. It is imperative in securing an absolutely united effort that there be no provocative actions which obviously must result in disunity and unrest.

“I would like to make clear, too, when I speak of the responsibility of the Opposition in Parliament, that its part in practical criticism of the work of the Government in organising national unity of action and thought is one of the most vital under the democratic system of which we are so proud. The National Party ns that Opposition at this time has been and is today extremely vigilant. It does regret that it has been seen fit to put off the session of Parliament until the middle of this year, but even without a session, the National Party caucuses, and from them down to every branch of the party throughout New Zealand, are keeping close touch with day to day decisions and problems. Fundamental Issues “With my colleagues I can assure you we will not at any time hesitate to play our very responsible part as the Opposition in criticism on fundamental issues,” added Mr Hamilton. “I know you all agree with me when I repeat that the first duty today is to establish a united war effort on a proper basis. I would add, too, with emphasis that it is only by this type of unity in crisis that we can deal with problems as they arise. “One of our urgent problems at the present time is dealing with considerable attempts to sabotage our war work. There must be short shrift for traitors in our midst. “1 would like to take this opportunity of paying a tribute to the generous and wholehearted response I have had to my appeal to our people,” Mr Hamilton said. “We are proud of the New Zealand men from every walk of life who have so promptly answered the call. The organisation is playing, and will continue to play, I am sure, its full part in supporting those men who, after all, are our main concern at this moment. “National clubs and national organisations of all kinds can play a big part, and I am proud to say as leader of the party that they have responded without exception. I am proud to be able to say that in our own National Party ranks there is not the slightest suggestion of disunity on this issue of war work. It has to be done. We are prepared to do it and we are doing it.” In an address at Palmerston North this week Mr Hamilton said he did not agree with those who held that the war had been an advantage to the present Government. He gave the Government the fullest credit for its attitude on the outbreak of war, when it told the British Government that New Zealand was with the Empire to the utmost. “Men are needed now. The Prime Minister has made the call,” said Mr Hamilton. “Some people want conscription, but the point is that the Government has pinned its faith to the voluntary system, and the duty of everybody is to support the Government. The duty of the National Party is to assist the Government to the fullest extent in making the voluntary system effective. If conscription is unduly stressed it will undermine the Government’s efforts, and no member of the National Party wants that.”