WHAT EFFECT?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 282, 27 November 1940, Page 3

WHAT EFFECT?

LEADERSHIP CHANGE. WAR CABINET POSITION. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Congratulations on his selection as Leader of the Opposition were extended to Mr. Holland by the Prime Minister, Mr. Frase-r, in the House of Representatives last night, when the House resumed after the dinner adjournment. Fraser said that on behalf of himself personally, and also on behalf of the Government party, he wished tt> congratulate Mr. Holland on his election to the high and responsible office of Leader of the Opposition. He had 110 doubt that Mr. Holland would follow in the footsteps of his" predecessor in regard to mutual accommodation, courtesy and geaieral co-operation in the conduct of the business of the House. And he hoped that this would go on pleas antly and with reasonable smoothne<s< in spite of the very grave diversity of opinions often expressed as far as political principles were concerned. ' I offer these congratulations sincerely," continued Mr. Fraser, '"but there is the question of the. effect of the change upon the War Cabinet. That is a matter that will have to receive the consideration of the Government and of the Government party. Wheal the War Cabinet was set up there was no stipulation as to the representation of the Opposition in the Cabinet. It was not laid down that the Leader of the Opposition had to be. one of the two members of the Opposition appointed.! But it certainly was implied." Mr, Fraser said there could not have been two more capable men appointed than Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Coates. Ho desired to pay sincere tributes to their application, hard work and devotion to duty. The War Cabinet was brought into being to solidify the country's war effort and with a view to making the best contribution to New Zealand's share of the common cause, added Mr. Fraser. It was thought that the War Cabine.t would be taken away from ordinary political controversy in order that the best co-operation might take place, and thus make for the success of the country's war effort.

Parties' Common Aim. Referring to the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition to a seat in the War Cabinet, Mr. Fraser said it was not a question of the individual; it was a question of the coming together of the parties for a common aim. Whether that could be carried out effectively and satisfactorily if the. Leader of the Opposition were not in the War Cabinet was a matter that required and would receive the most earnest and grave consideration of the Government. It was a ne.w departure that was not contemplated when the War Cabinet was set up. If the Leader of the Opposition were absent from the War Cabinet then, oil first examination, it appeared that something essential was missing not only from Cabinet, but from the national war effort.

Mr. Fraser said he made this statement because serious issues had been raised by the change, and the Government party would require time to consider the position. "A Helpful Understanding." "From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank the Prime Minister for his generous and encouraging words of congratulations," said Mr. Holland. He had had a discussion with Mr. Fraser during the afternoon, and had reached a helpful understanding with him. He thanked his colleagues for the honour they had done him in electing him to the position of leader. It was a position recognised throughout the country as an office of high honour and great responsibility. The task of the Leader of the Opposition was by no means an easy one, and he would try to maintain the high standard that had been reached by his predecessors. New Zealand was grateful to Mr. Hamilton for his services, conspicuously rendered during the last four years as Leader of the Opposition. "Let me in my first speech make it clear on my own behalf, and on behalf of the party I am allied with, that we on this side of the House are absolutely determined to make New Zealand's war effort and the Empire war effort our first and main consideration," he continued. "I say that without any qualification whatever." He promised the Prime Minister and the Government close co-operation as far as the war effort was concerned. There was no service that they could be asked to render by the Government that they would withhold in that connection. Mr. Holland said that the change in leadership did not involve the War Cabinet. He had said that in his discussion with the Prime Minister. The caucus of the National party had unanimously approved of Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Coates representing the party in the War Cabinet. Greater Service Possible. "We asked them to continue to hold those positions," he added. It was felt that they might now be able to give even greater service, because they could devote more of their attention to that work, and the party organisation would not make inroads into their time. In conclusion, Mr. Holland hoped the Opposition would make a contribution worthy of an Opposition. Its duty was to assist in making the laws of the land. Good bills would be supported, weak bills they would help to improve, while they would employ all the forms of the House to prevent bad bills reaching the Statute Book. He would try to maintain the high traditions of New Zealand Parliament in his new and difficult position. Mr. Lee (Democrat Labour, Grey Lynn) said he would like to assure both parties to the "touching scene" of the goodwill of his party, and that they would continue to drive the Opposition and the Government into the same lobby.