WAR COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 143, 18 June 1940, Page 8

WAR COUNCIL.

ACTION TAKEN. BODY SET UP. PERSONNEL ANNOUNCED. OFFER TO OPPOSITION. ______ (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.t WELLINGTON", this day. Tie Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, announced this afternoon thai the Government had appointed a War Council to supervise and direct the Dominion's war effort. The personnel of the Council is a.-, follows:— 8 Hon. P. Fraser, Prime Minister. Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Finanrc. Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence. Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister Supply. Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Nation.il Services. Mr. W. W. Mulholland, president oi the N.Z. Farmer.*' Union. Mr. R. Eddy, president of the N.Z. Workers' Union. Mr. C. C. Davis, representing the Employers' l'Vderation. Mr. A. McLagan, president of the Federation of Labour. Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., president <j* the N.Z. Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr. E. T. Tirikatene, M.P., returned soldier, representing- the Maori people. Sir Andrew Russell, M.L.C., returned soldier, appointed by the Government. Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P., returned soldier, appointed by the Government. Mr. H. Atmore, Independent M.P. for Nelson. Ministers of Labour and Agriculture. The Minister of, Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, and the Minister of Agriculture, the Hem. W. Lee Martin, will alternate in attendance at council meetin°~. according to the subjects under consideration. Other Ministers, chiefs of staffs, Departmental heads and officers will attend when necessary. It was ascertained from the Prime Minister that the invitation to the Opposition to nominate three member.of the War Council Temains open. This, if availed of, would reduce the preponderance of Labour representation, which 111 the present circumstances is una void able. The question of the representation of women on the council has been brought before the Prime Minister bv various organisations, and he has given an assurance that this will receive further consideration in the light of the scope of the council's future work. The Prime Minister made it emphatic ally clear that the War Council wouk" not impede quiek- action. "There can? be no doubt* he said about the efficiency of the council ii this respect,- because separate commit tees will be set up to deal eimul taneously with special subjects, makinc close and intensive, study in their par ticular fields and reporting to the fni council. Recommendations can be assurer: of prompt and decisive action 4>y thr presence on the council of the ripon 6ibl» Ministers. There will be no holdinup of decisions and there will also be n7unduly prolonged deliberations. Action, Not Debates. i i *^f^ on ' 3 "what is required, noi debates, but action must be based or. the specialised knowledge of the mem oers and on close investigation an-, consideration. tw f i CoUrS< ; Occasions ma y arise, they ha.ve done within the past few da} s, when prompt decisions must l.r made m furtherance of New ZealandC^bin^ ort '' m a<ided " " In s "ch case,. Cabinet would take immediate actioi aud, when essential, decisions would evoi be made on my o\v n responsibilitv whei. time is too precious to allow of consideration. Ihere would not be am question of the work of the coun.-i: delaj mg rapid action."