INSUFFICIENT PROPOSAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 167, 14 June 1940, Page 6

INSUFFICIENT PROPOSAL.

The Government could hardly have expected that its War Cabinet proposal would meet with the approval of the Opposition. Ad- ; hering to its cumbersome./AYar Council idea, the Government intended also, according to the advice sent to Mr Hamilton by the Prime Minister, to establish a War Council in which the Opposition would be given two seats, with the Governnient holding three, the former to be members of the Executive Council without portfolio. The War Cabinet s duties, Mr Fraser made perfectly clear, would have relation to the Expeditionary Force, the Naval and Air Forces and home defence. All other functions of government would be carried out by the present Cabinet. To this proposal the Opposition gave ah unqualified answer that it was < simply trifling with an important question at the very moment of the Empire’s darkest hour.” The Government has merited that, because throughout the country there is still an insistent wish for a Government fully representative of the people. .It matters not at this time that Mr Hamilton, m Mr Fraser’s words, represents a minority of the people, though on the question at issue be undoubtedly represents the views of the majority. What is wanted is leadership and co-ordinated effort, so that the country’s best talent shall be at the helm m this trying period. Immediate problems are associated with the war effort, covering every phase of activity and embracing the country’s economic structure. Obviously, therefore, a Cabinet such as the Government proposed falls far short of what the great majority of the people desire, and it should not be beyond the wit of statesmanship to achieve the fullest unity when it is so urgently necessary in the national ivelfare.