THE WAR CABINET

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 82, 31 December 1940, Page 6

THE WAR CABINET

It will probably remain a mystery why the Prime Munster should have chosen this particular time for introducing controversial issues. In the course of his broadcast talk on Sunday night Mr. Fraser suddenly made the announcement that the Leader of the Opposition must be a member of the War Cabinet, and went on to contend that otherwise there would be some lack of national unity in the prosecution of the war. Quite apart- from the time chosen for making this decision public, it is'difficult to follow the Prime Minister’s reasoning. Last November there was a change in the leadership of the National Party, and the Prime Minister had to admit that, when the War Cabinet was set up, there was no stipulation as to the representation of the Opposition. It was not laid down that the Leader of the Opposition had to be a member, though, Mr. Fraser added, that was implied. The National Party had frankly discussed the difficulties that arose when the leader of the party had to criticize decisions and actions sanctioned by a special body ’of which he was a member, and when it was decided to make a change in the leadership of the party one of the reasons was that it would free the Hon.. Adam .Hamilton to devote all his time to the work of the War Cabinet. Ihe 1 rime Minister had admitted that the two representatives of the Opposition in the War Cabinet were personally most acceptable and that they had rendered valuable service. That was not surprising for one had held the position of Prime Minister and had had personal experience which specially qualified him for the work of a War Cabinet, and the othei had also had experience of office. It would’appear, to most people, that the. question as. to whp should represent the Opposition in the War Cabinet is essentially one for the members of the party to decide, and this they have done. If there was no stipulation, when the War Cabinet was foimed, why should there be any stipulation now? If the work has been transacted to the satisfaction of the Prime Minister, and Mr. Fiasei ias admitted that it has, then on what logical grounds can this demanu for a change be based? The National Party has done what it was asked to do, and has two representatives in the War Cabinet, it has expressed unanimously its confidence in its representatives.and its satisfaction with their work. 'lhe Prime Minister has seen ht to attempt to impose his will on the Opposition by stipulating, at this late hour, that this representation must now be changed. People will ask what the National Party should do. The obvious thing to do is to do nothing. They are satisfied with their lepresentatives, and if the Prime Minister cares to disrupt the War Cabinet then that is his affair. Here is a War Cabinet, formed at the request of the Prime Minister. It has worked harmoniously and efficiently, according to Mr. Fraser, and the Opposition is quite, satisfied with its representatives. That surely is the only basis for unity of action, li the Prime Minister wants, for some undisclosed reason, to disband this body, then the National Party should leave the matter entirely.in his hands. If he chooses to take drastic steps the responsibility ioi any lack of unity will rest solely on his shoulders.