NATIONAL WAR CABINET

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 114, 16 May 1942, Page 6

NATIONAL WAR CABINET

N.Z.R.S.A/S PROPOSALS

LABOUR REACTION FAVOURABLE

The establishment of a National War Cabinet with full executive powers and including- in its personnel men from outside Parliament was one of the proposals placed before the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) today by a deputation comprising1 members of the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Returned Services Association.

The deputation was headed by the president of the N.Z.R.S.A., the_ Hon. W. Perry, M.L.G., who stated that the national executive of the Labour Party and the Parliamentary caucus of that party agreed with the principle of the establishment of such a Cabinet. The executive of the National Party and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland), however, while agreeing that it was desirable to bring about political unity, were of the opinion that the proposals were not practicable or calculated to achieve the end desired, and were convinced that the only way to meet the position was by the formation of a National Non-party Government. In his reply Mr. Fraser said he could speak for a united Labour movement, which saw in the proposals great prospects of achieving that unity in the country's war effort that they all deemed so absolutely essential. There were certain difficulties, but he did not think they were insuperable. Mr. Fraser assured the deputation that he would take an early opportunity of approaching the Leader of the Opposition and discussing the manifesto with him with a view to achieving as much, unity as possible. .. , ,

Mr. Fraser said that he would again invite Mr. Holland to join the War Cabinet.