OBJECTION TO ELECTION

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 21982, 10 March 1943, Page 4

OBJECTION TO ELECTION

PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT ATTITI DE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON WAR Strong opposition to the decision to hold a general election this year was expressed by Mr James Crisp, president of the People's Movement, in a statement issued today. Mr Crisp declared that the People's Movement intended to take decisive steps this year to upset the Party system as at present practised unless the Labour and National Parties dropped their domestic differences and concentrated on the war. “On behalf of the People’s Movement I have to express deep concern at the decision of the Labour and National Parties to hold a general election this year,” said Mr Crisp. “By coming to such a decision the parties have admitted that it is more important to them to cling to their domestic differences than to shelve them for the time being and combine for an all-out war effort. We feel that this decision was spurred by the results of the Christchurch East by-election, which must have been disturbing to both parties. Obviously they, hope to force an ssue befcre public feeling against the present party system becomes too strong. “Excuses Too Weak” “The excuses offered by the Prime Minister are altogether too weak. He states that elections are possible because the war situation is somewhat easier. The People’s Movement challenges this statement. Indeed the Prime Minister himself contradicted it when he warned the country that ‘there was a grim, hard struggle ahead.’ We believe this is but the calm before the storm. We believe that the military forces of both sides are massing for a decisive struggle, and we challenge either Mr Fraser or Mr Holland to deny that this year may prove to be the most fateful in the history of the world. It is impossible to shut one’s eyes to the fact that a world crisis is impendiing. If we are to win through we shall need to concentrate on this one purpose, all our energies, all our thoughts, and all our unity. “It is unthinkable that with this stem task before us we should propose to divide the country on rival domestic policies and waste money and effort in electioneering. We know perfectly well that if an election is to be held the politicians will lose no time in making that their first consideration. War policy, domestic policy, economic policy and everything else will be twisted by the desire to gain votes, or to score off the other party.” W T hat of Men Overseas ? “What will our men overseas think? Do Mr Fraser or Mr Holland think that our fighting men care two straws whether their comrades are Labour or Nationalist ? All they want to do is win the war and come home. When that time comes they can themselves be free to take a real part in governing the country. An election held while they are overseas will not give them a fair opportunity to have their views represented. Again, how can the Prime Minister be sure that they will even be able to vote ? What of the prisoners of war? What if our men are engaged in battle? Are they to stop and worry whether Mr Fraser or Mr Holland rules? And are their next-of-kin waiting anxiously at home to be badgered with questions of party politics? The whole thing is manifestly wrong and unjust. “I am bound to warn both parties that the people are clearly united on a number of all-important questions, and if the present parties persist in ignoring their wishes, the People’s Movement will take political action to give expression to the ideas of the people,” concluded Mr Crisp.