EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 6 October 1942, Page 5

EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

MR FRASER AND TWO MINISTERS INVITATION TO REJOIN Wellington, This Day. The correspondence l'elating to JVessi's Coates and Hamilton’s resignation as National Party Ministei's in the War Cabinet and their reappointment as Mr Fraser’s nominees was made available last night. Both Mr Coates and Mr Hamilton

first forwarded advice of their i*esigna tions as National Party Ministers to Mr Holland, advising him of the action taken. Mr Coates then wrote to the Prime Minister in the following terms: — Dear Mr Fi'aser, — Following a short talk with Mr Hamilton, I am now tendering to His Excellency the Governor-General my resignation as a member of the Executive Council, and asking you to accept my resignation as a member of the War Cabinet. You are aware of the circumstances leading up to the appointment of the members of the official Opposition to the War Cabinet. The selection was endorsed by members of the National Party. You are also aware of the subsequent steps taken, and agreed to by both main parties in Pai'liament, the object sought being that of establishing political unity in this grave war period. In view of the action taken by the Leader of the National Party, and the party itself, in deciding to call on all its members to withdraw from the War Cabinet and War Administi'ation, I am sure you will realise that I owe it to that pai'ty that I should conform with their decision, they having nominated me in the first instance. I regi'et the steps taken by the party at a time when, in my view, political unity is of the utmost importance in the national interest. Yours sincerely, J. G. COATES. October 5, 1942. Mr Hamilton sent the following letter to Mr Fi'aser: — Dear Mr Fraser, —On my return today from Invercargill, I had a talk with Mr Coates about the recent decision made by the Nation * Part. caucus, followed by the resignation of four National members from the War Admi .listration. This decision of the National Party caucus was to the effect that all its members should withdi'aw from the War Cabinet and War Administration. As I was one of those members who had the endorsement of the party on my appointment, I deem it my duty to comply with this request, and have tendered to His Excellency the Gover-nor-General my resignation as a member of the Executive Council, and hereby ask you to accept my resignation as a member of War Cabinet. I regret the action taken by the leader and members of the National Party, but wish to assure you of my co-ope *ation in any way that I can help in the :» lduct of New Zealand’s war effort. Yours sincerely, ADAM HAMILTON. October 5, 1942. PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY

The Prime Minister addressed the following letter each to Mr Coates and Mr Hamilton:—

I desire to acknowledge the receipt of yeux letter of to-day’s date informing me that you are tendering to His Ex cellency the Governor-General your resignation as a member of the Executive Council which involves your membership of the War Cabinet.

I have noted and understand the reasons for your taking this step, but nevertheless regret exceedingly that thei'e should have been any such cause for your adopting this course. The services which you have rendered during your term of office have been of great value, and it would be regrettable, particularly at this very critical stage of the war, if your experience and knowledge were to be lost to the counti'y.

In these cii'cumstances, I would like to inquire whether you would be prepared to accept reappointment as a member of the War Cabinet, and, if, as I sincerely hope will be the case, you are able to see your way to continue to assist and co-operate in the prosecution of the war effort to the same extent as hitherto. I shall be pleased to recommend to His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General that you be again appointed as a member of the Executive Council. Yours faithfully, P. FRASER. October 5, 1942. —P.A.