NATIONAL UNITY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 114, 16 May 1942, Page 8

NATIONAL UNITY

"WILL DO UTMOST"

J INVITATION TO MR. HOLLAND 'P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. To the executive of the R.S.A., which placed before him the organisation's proposals for a total war effort, the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, expressed complete agreement on behalf of all sections of the Labour party. The first proposal in the association's manifesto was explained by the Hon. W. Perry, president of the association. "In our view, this involves the resignation of the present War Cabinet so that a reconstituted War Cabinet can be set up on the basis we suggest." he said. "We think that the only effective way to select this W r ar Cabinet is for you, as Prime Minister, to do so unfettered by party considerations and on a truly national basis.

"By full executive powers, we mean absolute power to carry on the war, and if these cannot be given by regulation, then Parliament should be called together to give them."

The Prime Minister referred to the constitutional difficulties in the proposals. He said they were not insuperable. as outside members could be placed in the Legislative Council and then appointed to Executive.

After reminding the deputation of the National party's attitude to the proposals. Mr. Fraser declared himself so determined to explore every avenue making for national unity, that he would again approach the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Holland. with a request that he should discuss the matter with a view to finding points of agreement rather than disagreement in order to achieve unity.

"I will do more than that." he continued. "I will again invite the Leader of the Opposition to join the War Cabinet. I have done so on several occasions: but I trust, in spite of previous decisions, and in view of the development of the war situatioh and the ever-increasing menace to our shores, that previous difficulties will disappear, and that both Mr. Holland and myself will do our utmost on the basis, which I believe is a good basis—that which you have put before us."