PLEA TO PREMIER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20634, 9 December 1941, Page 9

PLEA TO PREMIER

CALL PARLIAMENT FORM JOINT MINISTRY MR. HOLLAND’S APPEAL (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, has sent a telegram to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon P. Fraser, urging the assembly of the New Zealand Parliament. The text of his telegram is:— “At this grave moment of national peril - when the lives of all New Zealanders are endangered, I respectfully urge the immediate summoning of Parliament to consider the besl course for ensuring the security of New Zealand and the Empire. Political differences should be dropped and a national emergency Government formed, and all forces, economic, political, and industrial, organised on a full war footing to ensure the immediate completion oi preparations for New Zealand’s defence.”

“In view of the peril of the present - situation, I have decided to cancel my trip to Britain so that I might remain at my post in New Zealand,” said the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Holland, tiiis morning. “In view of the rapid developments and the need for all Ministers being at their posts in Wellington, I have given instructions for the withdrawal of all outside speakers, including myself, who were to have taken part in the Bay of Plenty byelection, leaving the contest to the two nominated candidates.” Mr. Holland is leaving for Wellington to-night.