DEBUT AS LEADER

Evening Star, Issue 23744, 27 November 1940, Page 6

DEBUT AS LEADER

MR S. G. HOLLAND CONGRATULATED PREMIER ON CABINET POSITION [Pek United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 2G. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m., Air Eraser, in a brief statement, said he would like personally and on behalf of the Government to offer his congratulations to the lion, member for Christchurch North on his election to the high and responsible position of Leader of the Opposition. He had been selected as their leader by the members of the party to which he belonged, and he had no doubt Mr Holland would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor in regard to the business of the House —mutual accommodation, courtesy, and pleasant co-operation to ensure smooth working despite the very often great diversity of political principles that were concerned. Ho offered Mr Holland those congratulations with all sincerity. There was a question of the change, added Mr Eraser, as it affected the constitution of the War Cabinet, and that would have to receive the consideration of the Government and the Government Parly. When the War Cabinet was set up there was no stipulation as to representation of the Opposition on it. It was not laid down whether the Leader of the Opposition should be a member, but it was certainly implied. Ho wanted to say that there could bo no two move capable members than Mr Hamilton and Mr Coates, and he paid a sincere tribute to the work they had accomplished as members of the W T ar Cabinet. This War Cabinet, added Mr Fraser, had been brought into being to solidify the country’s war effort and with a view to getting the best contribution to our share of the common cause.

Referring to the appointment of the Leader' of the Opposition as a member of the War Cabinet, Mr Fraser said it was not a question of the individual, but of the coming together of different parties for a common aim. Whether that could be carried out efficiently and satisfactorily if the Leader of the Opposition were not in the War Cabinet was a matter that required and would receive the most serious, earnest, and grave consideration. 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 there was something missing, not only from Cabinet, hut from the war effort. He mentioned this because very serious considerations had arisen as a result of the change, and the Government would have to take time to consider them.

Mr Holland thanked Mr Fraser and the members of the Government for their congratulations, and mentioned that in a personal conversation he had had with Mr Fraser during the afternoon a mutual understanding had been reached between them.

The task of supporting the functions of Leader of the Opposition was by no means easy, said Mr Holland, but he hoped to be able to follow the high standard set by his predecessor. He drew attention to the splendid service which had been rendered by Mr Hamilton in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition, and said he regarded the position as leader of his party ns an opportunity for giving service to his native country. “ Let me make it abundantly clear,” said Mr Holland, “ that in my new position, and on behalf of my party, wo on this side of the House are determined to make New Zealand’s and the EiVipire’s war effort our first consideration, I. promise the Prime Minister and the Government every cooperation in New Zealand’s war effort. There is nothing that can be done that we will not do to further New Zealand’s war effort, or increase it. “ As far as the change in the leadership is concerned, it does not involve a change in the War Cabinet.” Mr Holland continued. A resolution had been carried unanimously at the Opposition caucus that day expressing confidence in Mr Hamilton and Mr Coates and their work on the War Cabinet, and he added his personal tribute to their services. The Opposition whole-heart-edly desired that they should continue those services as members of the War Cabinet.

Speaking of purely domestic politics, Mr Holland said the Opposition from time to time would endeavour to make its contributions to the country’s legislation. When good Bills were brought before the House they would support them ; where the Bills were weak they would endeavour to strengthen them; and where the Bills were bad they would oppose them with every form of the House. “I will try to play the game from this bench,” he concluded, “ and J think my colleagues will support me.”