OPPOSITION'S PART

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 129, 27 November 1940, Page 8

OPPOSITION'S PART

EFFECT OF CHANGE

GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER

When congratulating Mr. S. G. Holland (National, Christchurch North) on his elevation to the office of Leader of the Opposition, the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), speaking in the House of Representatives last night, referred to the effect that the change in the leadership of the National Party might have on the personnel of the War Cabinet. The question was one that would have to receive the consideration of the Government and of the Government party, he said.

Mr. Fraser said that on behalf of himself personally, and also on behalf of the Government party, he wished to congratulate Mr. Holland on his election to the high and responsible office of Leader of the Opposition.

"I offer these congratulations sincerely," continued the Prime Minister, "but there is a question of the effect of the change upon the War Cabinet. That is a matter that will have to receive the consideration of the Government and of the Government party. When the War Cabinet was set up there was no stipulation as to the representation of the Opposition in the Cabinet. It was not laid down that the Leader of the Opposition had to be one of the two members of the Opposition appointed, but it certainly was implied."

The Prime Minister said there could not have been two more capable men appointed than the Hon. A. Hamilton and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. He paid sincere tributes to their application, their hard work, and devotion to duty.

Whether the best co-operation could be achieved if the Leader of the Opposition were not in the War Cabinet was a matter that required and would receive the most earnest and grave consideration of the Government. It was a new departure that was not contemplated when the War Cabinet was set up. If the Leader of the Opposition were absent from the War Cabinet, then on first examination it appeared that something essential was missing, not only from Cabinet, but from the national war effort. ; MR. HOLLAND'S REPLY. "From the bottom of my heart I wish to thank the. Prime Minister for his generous and encouraging words of congratulation," said Mr. Holland. He had had a discussion with Mr. Fraser during the afternoon and had reached a helpful understanding with him.

He thanked his colleagues for the honour they had done him in electing him to the position of leader.

"Let me in my first speech make it clear on my own behalf, and on behalf of the party I am allied with, that we on this side of the House are absolutely determined to make New Zealand's war effort and the Empire war effort our first and main consideration," he continued. "I say that without any qualification whatever." WAR CABINET NOT INVOLVED. Mr. Holland said that the change in leadership did not involve the War Cabinet. He had said that in his discussion with the Prime Minister. The caucus of the National Party had unanimously approved of Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Coates representing the party in the War Cabinet. "We asked them to continue to hold those positions," he added. It was felt that they might now be able to give even greater service because they could devote more of their attention to that work and party organisation would not make inroads into their time.

Mr. J. A. Lee (Democratic Labour, Grey Lynn) said that he would like to assure both parties to the "touching scene" of the good will of his party and also that his party would continue to drive the Opposition and the Government into the same lobby.