Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1940. THE WAR COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 196, 28 May 1940, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1940. THE WAR COUNCIL.

The decision of the Government against the formation of a National Cabinet will be a great disappointment to all who hoped that the widelyexpressed desire of the country would carry weight with those entrusted with the conduct of the war effort of New Zealand. The creation of a War Council cannot be regarded as a satisfactory l substitute for a United Government. According to Mr Fraser’s reply to the Leader of the Opposition, the council will consist of Cabinet Ministers associated with the war effort, representatives of the Opposition, employers in industry, representatives of trade unions and farmers. Powers necessary to carry out its work will be given to the War Council, and joint sessions of the Cabinet and the War Council will be held. Mr Fraser unfortunately has not informed the country what those duties will be. If it is intended that the decisions reached by that body are to have the force of law without reference to the whole Cabinet there will be the anomaly of divided control of the public affairs. If the final sanction of Cabinet is to be obtained there will be unnecessary, perhaps fatal, delay in carrying out those decisions. What will happen if Cabinet does not approve of the War Council’s policy? In itself, also, the proposed body will not be acceptable, for with the inclusion of of several sections of the community it will be unwieldy and not likely to make those swift, effective decisions necessary in the present circumstances. Mr Fraser stated on Suncay evening that the Government welcomed constructive criticism, yet when constructive proposals are made in a friendly spirit, to quote the Prime Minister’s own words, it rejects the advice tendered. Certainly Mr Fraser was careful to absolve the Cabinet of sole responsibility for rejecting the proposal for the formation of a National Government, for he said that the suggestion had been discussed with members of Parliament, presumably the Labour Party caucus, which was conveniently sitting. If the Government welcomes constructive criticism, let it agree to a National Cabinet with full power of decision and action, advised by small councils composed of men of weight in the various branches of war activities. This is the system adopted in Britain, and as the New Zealand Government finds full approval for following the example of the Home Country in the matter of emergency powers, so it would receive whole-hearted active support for going still farther in the steps of Britain.