WAR CABINET CHANGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 117, 20 May 1942, Page 4

WAR CABINET CHANGE

SECTIONAL STRIFE POSSIBLE

(P.A.)

DUNEDIN, This Day

Interviewed last night on the proposed changes in the War Cabinet, the Hon W. Downie Stewart said:—

"The Prime Minister is anxious to enlarge his War Cabinet in the interest of greater national unity. One of his proposals is to bring in outsiders because of their knowledge or administrative -ability. There is, as he says, plenty of precedent for that course if he thinks it wise or necessary, 'out when he goes further and says he will grant sectional representation on the War Cabinet to special groups, such us manufacturers, farmers, returned soldiers, trade unionists, etc.. he will certainly imperil or destroy such national unity as we now possess, which is probably greater than he realises.

"In my view men arc not electee! to Parliament, nor to Cabinet. ?:o represent their own sectional or vested interearts They are elected fo the nation. If the Prime Minister creates his Cabinet of special ■TO.r.'est* the danger will bo that we shall have sectional sighting, wire-pulling, and lojj-rolling on the nonie front ;>> ivpil as on the battlefront. I hope the Prime Minister will think twice before trying to placate powerful groups by giving them special representation in his War Cabinet."