WITHDRAWN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 231, 30 September 1942, Page 4

WITHDRAWN

PARTY SUPPORT FOR TWO MINISTERS (0.C.) WELLINGTON, this day. As a result of the National party caucus decision the War Adminstration which was formed three months ago ceases to operate, but it is expected that the Minister of Armea Forces and War Co-ordination, Mr. Coats, and the Associate Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr. Hamilton. will continue to place their services at the disposal of the War Cabinet.

Mr. Coates attended last night's party caucus, and is understood to have vigorously presented arguments against the motion to withdraw from the War Cabinet.

Simultaneously the National Party executive was meeting in Wellington, and it is understood that when the caucus decision was conveyed to this body, they unanimously endorsed it.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, is expected to invite Messrs. Coates and Hamilton to continue their Ministerial work, and therefore the position will revert to that of July, 1940, when a War Cabinet was formed comprising the Prime Minister, Messrs. N'ash. Minister of Finance, .(ones, Minister of Defence, and Messrs. Coates and 1 lamilton.

It is probable that Mr. Sullivan. Minister of Supply, will temporarily take a position in the War Cabinet.

There are likely to be political developments affecting Messrs. Coates and Hamilton. They were unanimously requested in November. 19 10. when Mr. Holland replaced Mr. Hamilton as leader of the party, to continue in office as members of the War Cabinet, but this resolution. having been reviewed last night, was cancelled. Now they are seemingly placed in the position of being deprived of party support. After the appointment of the enlarged War Administration the War Council, an advisory body, ceased to exist, and whether it will be revived under the changed circumstances. has yet to be decided.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, in announcing the party's withdrawal from the War Administration referred to the existence of reasons, in addition to the Government's policy in relation *o the mining strike. These reasons have been the subject of conversation in Parliamentary circles for several weeks, but they are of a nature which cannot be indicated, except by those concerned when they are able to take advanta.ee of the privileges of debate in the House of Representatives. 'PLEASE THEMSELVES' MR. HAMILTON SURPRISED QUICK DECISION OF CAUCUS (0.C.) INVKRt'A KG ILL, this day. "I am a little surprised that the National Party caucus reached its decision so quickly." said the Associate Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr. Hamilton, to-day.

Asked what action he was likely to take in view of the caucus decision. Mr. Hamilton said he would discuss the matter with Mr. Coatcs. Mr. Hamilton said he intended to return tc Wellington shortly to find out what, the position was.

When he was asked whether he was disappointed with the caucus decision. Mr. Hamilton said: "They can please themselves what they do."

GENERAL ELECTION ISSUE AGAIN RAISED STABILITY ASSUMPTION (0.C.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Cabinet developments raise the question of whether the general election is likely to be further postponed.

Parliament passed the prolongation measure when the War Administration was formed obviously on the assumption that there should be stability for the new administration, though this was the subject of a clause that after 1942 any further postponement of the general election must be annually approved by resolution of the House of Representatives.

The Prime Minister further stated that if the War Administration failed to bind the people more closely together in the war effort he would be the first to come forward to terminate the arrangement, and would not wait for the annual review before doing so.