NATIONAL PARTY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21821, 26 November 1940, Page 4

NATIONAL PARTY

Successor To Present Leader Selection Delayed Much Ground To Be Cleared (Special to "The Tima.ru Herald.") WELLINGTON, November 25. The National Party caucus, at which the leadership question will be discussed, was delayed this morning owing to the necessity of the Hon. Adam Hamilton and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates attending the War Cabinet, which meets almost daily. An early decision on the leadership is not expected. There is much ground to be cleared before anything like unanimity can be reached. In fact, some phases yet to be settled are so vitally important that a precipitate decision would create a serious situation within the parti' itself. For instance, the question is asked whether Mr Hamilton’s resignation from the leadership should accompany his retirement from the War Cabinet. It was Mr Hamilton who carried out these negotiations in close association with Mr Coates, who is his colleague in the War Cabinet. The Government party approved of these additions to the War Cabinet, but it does not follow that It would continue to support Opposition representation if the personnel changed. Mr Coates a Factor Another complication threatening the peace of mind of the Nationalists favouring a leadership change is the fear that if Mr Hamilton is deprived both of the leadership and his Cabinet position, Mr Coates would show his disapproval in a decisive manner. There is a strong block of Hamilton supporters in caucus and, at the moment, the picking of the card does not suggest a majority for the mostadvertised alternative, Mr S. G. Holland. If the position wero actually made open by Mr Hamilton’s resignation, which has not been placed before the party, other aspirants than Mr Holland are likely to emerge. There is, for instance, a growing opinion that Mr Coates would command more general confidence dtiring the war period. This is another of the complications which may take many discussions before the party is able to announce a final decision. Uniting Opposition There is also a desire among a number of Nationalist members to consider the possibility of bringing together all Opposition elements now organising against the Government throughout the country. Their policies so far agree only in hostility to Labour’s domestic programme, but there is some belief that under suitable leadership the National Party might secure a considerable amount of backing from other Opposition elements. Clearly emerging from all these complications is the outstanding point that in the event of Mr Hamilton being deposed from the leadership, this would be regarded by what is known as the “old gang” as a motion of want of confidence which would be inevitably followed by the resignation of both Mr Hamilton and Mr Coates from the War Cabinet. Six Members Absent Caucus adjourned for lunch without having reached a decision on the leadership. There were nineteen members present. The absentees were the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes and Sir Apirana Ngata, while Brigadier J. Hargest, Major J. M. Allen, Captain, A. N. Grigg, and Mr T. Macdonald are on active service. It was mentioned by a member of the party that the leadership question needed to be tackled carefully. No action would be taken which might affect the unity or prejudice the future welfare of the party. The new member for Waipawa (Mr C. S. Harker) was welcomed by Mr Hamilton, who declared that Mr Harker had made a wonderful fight. He had come in at a time when great issues were before the country, and his experience and sound judgment would be of value. Caucus Resumes To-day No decision about the leadership was reached when the caucus adjourned this evening after an all day sitting. The caucus will resume to-morrow, when discussion on the vital issue will be resumed. Outside the caucus the members have observed strict reticence and no hint as to developments is obtainable. A statement expected from Mx- Hamilton to-night was not forthcoming.