National Government Offer

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 44, 20 February 1941, Page 6

National Government Offer

Irrespective of Which Party Wins

ONUS ON MR. FRASER AND HIS PARTY Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Fefo. 19. “I want to make a straightforward offer to the Prime Minister and his Government. I suggest that the members elected to Parliament next election hold office for the duration, of the war and, further, that the Labour Party and National Party jointly undertake to form a National Government* regardless of which party has a majority.’’ This offer on behalf of the National Party was made by Mr. S. G. Hollaad in an address in Blenheim tonight, during which he again affirmed tho party’s determination to stand 100 per cent, behing New Zealand’a war effort. Mr. Holland said that, from the very first days of the war, the National Party had consistently advocated the formation of a truly National Government, but the Government juet as consistently had declined to give up any of its socialistic programme or give up any of its portfolios. Au election was to be held this year, and as he had previously announced, if the National Party was successful, it would immediately invite the parties to join, in the formation of & non-party Government, not merely to administer the war effort, but to undertake the responsibility for the entire task of government. “I believe Mr. Fraser is quite in earnest when he says nothing else matters but winning the war,” said Mr. Holland, “but it is equally true that some of his colleagues in the Cabinet are at the same time going for their lives socialising New Zealand as fast as they possi/bly can.”