UNITY IN CRISIS

Evening Star, Issue 23862, 17 April 1941, Page 6

UNITY IN CRISIS

OPPOSITION REAFFIRMS OFFER NON-PARTY GOVERNMENT ESSENTIAL MR FRASER PROMISES PUBLIC REPLY [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 16. The following statement was issued to-night by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland: — “ Owing to the extreme gravity of the war situation now facing the Empire, and with the New Zealand forces actively engaged, a caucus of the Parliamentary Opposition was held in Wellington to-day. After a full discussion it was unanimously resolved that the caucus be adjourned to enable Mr Holland to see Mr Fraser in order to reaffirm to him the offer of the National Party to join in the formation of a truly national nonparty Government. “ The caucus was unanimously of the opinion that the position could be mot satisfactorily only by the formation of a truly national Government, and that the entire sinking of party politics and the cessation of the otherwise inevitable campaigning wore essential to tbc achievement of that complete unity of national thought and action needed in this crisis. “ It was considered that any proposal that the Loader of the Opposition should join the War Cabinet would not only fall far short of what was really needed, but would, not, in fact, meet the fundamental issue. Party politics would still divide the country.” “ I propose to make a statement to-morrow to the Labour Party Conference, in reference to the report of the decision of the caucus of the National Party concerning the suggested formation of a national Government,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when Mr Holland’s statement was submitted to him late to-night. “ This statement will be published.’'