WAR CABINET CRISIS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23752, 25 September 1942, Page 4

WAR CABINET CRISIS

Hon. S. G. Holland’s

Attitude

“I HAVE MADE MY POSITION PLAIN” (P.S.S.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 24 Speculation continues concerning me effect on the political situation of the decisions taken by the Government as to the coal strike. The possibility that the Hon. S. G. Holland Leader of the Opposition and Minister of war Expenditure, may decide to withdraw from the War Administration is being freely canvassed. . , . .. When interviewed- to-night, Mr Holland gave no hint of his intentions beyond saying that hi . s . first h^p P °os|' bilitv was to discuss the whole position with his Parliamentary coHeagues at the caucus called for next Tues d Asked if he still stood by his statement, made last week, that the law should be observed and those who broke it firmly dealt with, he said he was still emphatically of the opinion that that was the only proper course *°“l°believe ■ it is vital in the national interests.” he said, “that the authority of the Government must be maintained in all circumstances, and that cannot be done if the course of the law is to be interfered with. I cannot, and will not as a matter of principle, give my concurrence to any procedure which interferes with the processes of the law and I have made my position m this respect plain beyond any shadow of d °”The question of whether or not the Government’s proposals constitute socialisation, nationalisation, or merely some other form of Stats control, is beside the point. The immediate issue in this dispute is whether the Govern, ment’s authority is to prevail, and whether its laws are to be enforced or not. With regard to the decision to take over the control of the mines, I accept no responsibility whatever.