RESIGNATIONS MADE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 263, 6 October 1942, Page 4

RESIGNATIONS MADE

REMAINING MINISTERS REJOIN WAR CABINET WELLINGTON. Oct. 6. The Minister of Armed Forces and War Co-ordination (Mr Coates) and the Associate Minister of Supply (Mr Hamilton) last night resigned their Ministerial offices in accordance with last week’s majority decision of tho National Party caucus to withdraw its six representatives from the A\ ar Administration and the War Cabinet. Advice to this effect has been forwarded to the Leader of tho Opposition (Air Holland). Mr Coates and Air Hamilton both dissociated themselves from the views of the other resigning Alimstors. The Prime Atinister (Mr Fraser) was subsequently informed and lie immediately invited them to rejoin the War Cabinet and they have acceded to that request. They have done so, but no longer as National Party representatives. Both were sworn in last night. “DUTY TO COUNTRY.” A joint statement explaining their position was subsequently made by Air Coates and Air Hamilton, and was as follows:

“As we see the position, there was not sufficient justification in the reason given for the precipitate and drastic action taken by the National Party caucus, and followed immediately by the resignation of four members of tho War Administration. Wo consider, after careful thought, that our duty to the country is more important than our duty to party. “Wo do not condono the action of tho strikers. That such an incident should in time of national crisis bo made the reason for tho resignation of responsible men from their administrative obligations, however, is unjustifiable. No industrial strike is assisted, or industrial peace assured, by a political strike —and that is what the resignations represent. “The country is at war. Let those who wish blame tho Government. Wc, for our part, realise the difficulties of any Government in such a crisis, and faced with similar circumstances. No one can deny that the safety of the State and the preservation of its people must bo the first consideration of responsible men. Manoeuvring for parly advantage by any section in these critical hours can only hamper the country’s effort. “Now there is Mr Holland’s demand for a general election—a demand similarly precipitate and drastic. If that demand is acceded to. what was a caucus issue becomes an election issue. Electors will have to determine whether that issue was of sufficient importance to disrupt 6uch measure of political unity as had been obtained, and throw the country into the distraction of a general election with the enemy 30 close to our gates. “The resolution to withdraw from the War Administration was made on the grounds that ‘the law must be maintained.’ Apart altogether from the allegation of mishandling of the strike situation. we arc concerned as to whether the basis on which certain of our colleagues acted was sound, bearing in mind that, members of the National Party acknowledged that coal must be won. It is not conceivable that our people will declare that gaol was the only remedy available. The action that was taken was constitutionally right, and there arc precedents for it in Now Zealand from prior administrations. Admittedly, the executive's right to make such a recommendation should be sparingly used, but surely, with the country at war, and with the war effort of our Allies and ourselves at stake, the right to exercise that power should not be made an issue. Such an issue creates disunity and aggravates all forms of economic loss and industrial upset. “The blunt fact remains,” the statement continues, “that if work at the mines bad not been resumed in full there would by now have been a standstill in the North Island in dairy companies, freezing companies, and railroad transport, and a. heavy reduction in gas and lighting, all of which would have affected the security of our people and our ability to fight. “We believe that our people support the view that imprisonment should be reverted to as a last resource, and that every other possible expedient must first be explored. In these circumstances our plain duty is clear. It is to accept tho Prime Alinister’s request, remain at our posts, and continue to render what service we can during our country’s peril.’