N.Z. WAR CABINET

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 July 1940, Page 8

N.Z. WAR CABINET

FIVE MEMBERS APPOINTED MR. FRASER’S STATEMENT . - [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, July 16. The announcement of a War Cabinet, comprising Messrs Fraser, Nash, Jones, Hamilton, and Coates, was made- by Mr. Fraser, to-day. Mr. Fraser said that the War Cabinet’s full-time task would be to direct the war effort of New Zealand. “As the outcome of negotiations between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, a War Cabinet will be formed to-control all New Zealand’s war effort. This Cabinet will, consist of five members —three from the Government and two from the Opposition. All the members will have full Ministerial rank. The particular function of the War Cabinet will be to decide and direct those matters concerned with defence, military assistance to Britain, production for war purposes, war financial requirements, and emergency regulations, so far as they apply to the war effort and tend to implement Parliament’s policy in relation to New Zealand’s participation in the war. “The effect of this arrangement is that there will be two Cabinets directing the country’s affairs. The War Cabinet will control New Zealand’s war effort, and its decision will be conclusive. The general Cabinet will continue to function in the usual way in regard *to all other matters, the existing Ministers retaining their present portfolios. The Prime Minister will be the head of both Cabinets, and will of course, retain his constitutional position in each. Any action which becomes necessary for the purpose of securing Governmental co-ordination arising out of the virtual existence of two Cabinets will thus be taken by the Prime Minister, in accordance with his constitutional position. “As has been stated previously, the Government has fully appreciated the necessity for a united effort —to-day all the more urgent because of the developments in the war situation in Europe. The formation of a War Cabinet will give a complete opportunity of unity of action in war matters by the two political parties, without disturbing the existing arrangements or retarding the Government’s control of the country’s affairs generally.’’ .. Mr. Fraser stated that the decision to form a War Cabinet would ensure unity of counsel and action, which was so essential in the prosecution of the supreme war effort required in support of Britain, and he was certain that it would find an echo in the hearts of the people throughout the Dominion, as it should give all sections of the community confidence in the unity of . Parliament and the country’s political leaders. This type of co-operative direction would meet effectively the needs of the difficult days ahead, and would inspire all to unite selflessly in the common task, to achieve victory. With regard to the War Council, Mr. Fraser said that this body was already functioning, and was doing good work, and it would continue to function for the purposes for which it was set up..