PARTY TRUCE

Evening Star, Issue 23863, 18 April 1941, Page 4

PARTY TRUCE

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT OFFER QUESTION SHELVED TILL PREMIER'S RETURN [Per Ujuted Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 17. In a statement made to the Labour Party conference to-day on the Opposition’s proposal to form a _ National Government, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. P. Fraser), while not rejecting the proposal, said it was impossible to agree to it on the eve of his departure for Britain, but it would receive full consideration immediately on his return. Mr Fraser’s attitude was approved by the conference. Commenting on this statement, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) said it would receive his careful consideration in consultation with his colleagues. Mr Fraser’s statement was as follows -“ Shortly after the recent adjournment of Parliament Mr Holland and myself discussed the war situation and the possible course of events both at home and abroad during my absence on the projected visit to the United Kingdom. I expressed the opinion that it was most desirable that during my absence, political controversy in the Dominion should bo reduced to a minimum and that both the Government Party and the Opposition Party should agree at least to suspend active public platform propaganda. I' verbally invited Mr Holland to join the War Cabinet, and expressed my earnest wish that he could see his way to do so. 1 stated that I proposed to follow this verbal invitation with a formal written one after lie had had time to give adequate consideration to the matter.

“ Yesterday afternoon Mr Holland informed me that a caucus of the Opposition Party had met and come to the conclusion that the formation of a National Government was necessary, and that tho Opposition was prepared to participate, in a National Government. I pointed out to Mr Holland that it was not possible for mo to agree to the proposal on the eve of my departure for the United Kingdom. I felt that such a step at tho moment would lead to undesirable confusion, and therefore would not promote national unity. I further made it clear that I did not reject the proposal, and undertook that immediately* on my return from the United Kingdom it would receive full consideration in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, and a decision would be made.

“ I stated that, in the opinion of the Government, tho question of a postponement of the General Election, which might bo advisable, and even inevitable, owing to war developments, would necessarily involve the question of the formation of a National Government, and that neither I nor my colleagues would even suggest a postponement if its only _ effect was to retain the Government in office. I again invited Mr Holland to join the War Cabinet and assist in all the important work being ably carried on by all the members of that body pending my return to’New Zealand. I also expressed the hope that during the period of my absence on war work and consultation with the British Prime Minister and War Cabinet, a party truce to be made as effective as possible could be mutually arranged. “ Last evening Mr Holland was good enough to furnish me with a copy of the statement which appears in this morning’s Press. T hope that in view of what I have said and the additional fact that I am leaving sooner than I anticipated the question can be further considered by the Opposition Party and that Mr Holland can see his way to serve during my absence in the War Cabinet which directs and controls New Zealand’s war effort.”