WAR CABINET OR COUNCIL?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21676, 10 June 1940, Page 4

WAR CABINET OR COUNCIL?

A Political Deadlock “Something Has To Happen ” Nationalists Restive By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, June 9. Political events of an interesting character are likely to take place this week. The question that is intriguing most people is the outcome of the deadlock that now exists in the negotiations that have been taking place between the Government and the Opposition in an effort to achieve some unity of control in the country’s war plans. Briefly put. the stage has now been reached where neither side can agree to what form control should take, but both enthusiastically concede the desirability of some joint administration. The Government appears to be immovable on Its scheme for a National War Council and the Opposition is just as stubbornly against that idea, so beyond a lot of earnest and highminded statements, commendable for their spirit but inconclusive in their effect, the results so far are virtually invisible. There is complete agreement on the prnciple that personal service and property must all come into the national effort, and the general feeling is that what is necessary now is national unity to ensure that they will be wisely used. The Opposition contends that the National War Council is much too cumbersome and it favours something more compact, such as a War Cabinet consisting of Ministers directly associated with the war effort with Opposition representation. This would hand over to the men best able to handle it supreme authority for the conduct of war operations. Statements made by Mr Hamilton and Mr Fraser in the House on Friday do not advance the situation a step further. Mr Hamilton made it plain that if some arrangement is not made when the time comes for the Opposition to join in the Address-in-Rep]y Debate it will fulfil to the letter its rights and function as an Opposition, war or no war. Something has to happen by Wednesday, otherwise a lively debate with the Opposition showing no quarter will be launched on Wednesday night. Opposition Attitude Hardening Members of the Opposition are becoming increasingly restive about the Government’s attitude on the whole question and their attitude has hardened considerably in the last few days. If there is a compromise the Opposition will no doubt be prepared to forego its part in the debate and in this event the House will probably adjourn for a week or two and resume in time for the Budget and Imprest Bill to come down before the end of the month. With one day devoted to formal references to deceased legislators and two full sitting days occupied with the secret session. Parliament has had only half a day, on Friday afternoon, in which to proceed with its routine business. This was confined chiefly to the opening of the Address-in-Reply Debate, which was notable for its usual lack of colour and for Mr Moncur’s frank and courageous commentary on the capabilities of women knitters. He speaks as an expert knitter. The Prime Minister was spurred by an urgent question from Mr Broadfoot to give a reassuring indication of what the Government is doing to ensure that adequate watch is being kept on the conduct of aliens. It was a welcome dose of tonic for Fifth Column fever.