REJOIN CABINET

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 236, 6 October 1942, Page 4

REJOIN CABINET

TWO MINISTERS EXPLANATION OF DECISION (0.C.) WELLINGTON, this day. In accordance with the decision of the National party caucus to withdraw the six representatives of the party from the War Administration and the War Cabinet, the Minister of Armed Forces and War Co-ordina-tion, Mr. Coates, and the AssociateMinister of Supply, Mr. Hamilton, resigned their Ministerial appointments last night. However, they are to remain in the War Cabinet at the request of the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser.

Mr. Coates and Mr. Hamilton have been asked by Mr. Fraser to rejoin the War Cabinet, and they have acceded to this request. They were both sworn in as members of the Executive Council at Government House late last night.

'As we see the position there is not sufficient justification in the reason given for the precipitate and drastic action taken by the National party caucus and followed immediately by four members of the War Administration," reads a joint statement issued by Messrs. Coates and Hamilton.

"We consider, after careful thought, that duty to country is more important than duty to party.

"We do not condone the action of the strikers. That such an incident should in a time of national crisis be made the reason for the resignation °f responsible men from their administrative obligations, however, is unjustifiable. No industrial strike is assisted or industrial peace assured by a political strike, and that is what the resignations represent. Government's Difficulties "The country is at war. Let those who wish blame the Government. We, for our part, realise the difficulties of any Government in such a crisis if faced with similar circumstances. No one can deny that the safety of the State and the preservation of its people must be the first consideration of responsible men. The manoeuvring for party advantage by any section in these critical hours can only hamper the country's effort. "Now there is Mr. Hollands demand for a general election, a demand similarly precipitate and drastic, adds the statement. "If the demand is acceded to, what was *a caucus issue becomes an election issue. The electors will have to determine whether the issue was of sufficient importance to disrupt such measure of political unity as had been obtained, and so the countrv enters the distraction of a general election with the enemy so close to our gates.

"The resolution to withdraw from the War Administration was made on the grounds that 'the law must be maintained.'

"Apart from the allegation of mishandling of the strike situation we are concerned as to whether the basis on which certain of our colleagues acted was sound. Bearing in mind that members of the National party acknowledged that coal must be won, it is not conceivable that our people will declare that gaol was the only remedy available. The action taken was constitutionally right and there are precedents in New Zealand from prior administrations. "Admittedly the Executive's right to make such a recommendation should be sparingly used, but surely wth the country at war and the war effort of our country and our Allies at stake, the right to exercise that power should not be made an issue. Such an issue creates disunity and aggravates all forms of economic loss and industrial upset. "Plain Duty Clear" "The blunt fact remains that if work at the mines had not been resumed in full there would now have been a standstill in the North Island in dairy companies, freezing companies and railroad transport, and a heavy reduction in gas lighting, all of which would have affected the security of our people and our ability to fight. We believe that our people S^ PP ?i t J - VK v" thnt imprisonment should be impose. ; as a last resort and that every other possible expedient must first be explored

"Under these circumstances our plain duty is clear. It is to accept the Prime Minister's request, remain at our posts and continue to render what services we can during our country's peril." b