UNITY MOVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 162, 10 July 1940, Page 9

UNITY MOVE.

POLITICAL PARTIES.

OPPOSITION'S ATTITUDE.

WAR CABINET PROPOSAL.

(By Tetegmph.—(Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The conditions under which the Opposition is prepared to join with the Government in the direction of New Zealand's war effort were discussed at a caucus of the Parliamentary members of the National party yesterday. Though no statement was made for publication there is reason to believe that the Opposition is anxious to see political unity brought about without delay, even though this may involve the sacrifice of some of the conditions which it at first sought. A caucus of members of the Parliamentary Labour party had been called for yesterday, but was postponed till to-day. After the Labour caucus it is expected that the leaders of the two parties will again confer with a view to reaching some final agreement. It is known that the Opposition is anxious that the authority of the proposed War Cabinet should be extended beyond that suggested in the original proposal of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. Should an agreement be r?aclied between the parties during the next few davs it is probable that it will have soine influence on the financial debate, which has now extended over three sittings, and the subsequent discussion on the estimates of Departmental expenditure. In such circumstances a protracted discussion would be unlikely.

The Labour party's meeting to-day w«.s preceded by an interview between the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. It is understood that a further conference of the two leaders will take place.

The secret session of Parliament is being continued to-day.