WAR CABINET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21822, 27 November 1940, Page 6

WAR CABINET

Effect Of Promotion Of Mr Holland Problem For Government By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, November 26. In the House this evening, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in a brief statement said he would like personally, and on behalf of the Government, to offer his congratulations to the Hon. Membei for Christchurch North, Mr S. G. Holland, on his election to the high and responsible position of Leader of the Opposition. He had been selected as their leader by the members of the party to which he belonged, and he had no doubt Mr Holland would follow to the footsteps of his predecessor in regard to the business of the House, mutual accommodation, courtesy and pleasant co-operation to ensure smooth working to spite of very often the great diversity of political principles that were concerned. He offered Mr Holland these congratulations with all sincerity. War Cabinet Appointments There was the question of the change, added Mr Fraser, as it affected the constitution of the War Cabinet, and that would have to receive the consideration of the Government and the Government Party. When the War Cabinet was set up, there was no stipulation as to the representation of Opposition on it. It was not laid down whether the Leader of the Opposition should be a member, but it was certainly implied. He wanted to say that there could be no two more capable members than Mr Hamilton and Mr Coates, and he paid a sincere tribute to the work they had accomplished as members of the War Cabinet. This War Cabinet, added Mr Fraser, had been brought into being to solidify the country’s war effort and with a view to getting the best contribution to our share to the common cause. Referring to the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition as a member of the War Cabinet, Mr Fraser said it was not a question of the individual, but of the coming together of different parties for the common aim. Whether that could be carried out efficiently and satisfactorily if the Leader of the Opposition were absent from the War Cabinet, then on first examination it appeared there was something missing, not only from the Cabinet, but from the war effort. He mentioned this because very serious considerations had arisen as a result of the change, and the Government would have to take time to consider them. New Leader Replies Mr Holland thanked Mr Fraser and the members of the Government for their congratulations and mentioned that to a personal conversation he had had with Mr Fraser during the afternoon a mutual understanding had been reached between them. The task of supporting the functions of the Leader of the Opposition was by no means easy, said Mr Holland, but he hoped to be able to follow the high standard set by his predecessor. He drew attention to the splendid service which had been rendered by Mr Hamilton to his capacity as Leader of the Opposition, and said he regarded the position as leader of his party as an opportunity for giving service to his native country. Prime Aim is War Effort “Let me make it abundantly clear,’ said Mr Holland, “that to my new position and on behalf of my party, we on this side of the House are determined to make New Zealand's and the Empire’s war effort our first consideration. I promise the Prime Minister and the Government every co-operation in New Zealand’s war effort. There is nothing that can be done that we will not do to further New Zealand’s war effort, or increase it. , , , . “As far as the change in leadership is concerned, it does not involve any change to the War Cabinet, Mr Holland continued. That resolution had been carried unanimously at an Opposition caucus that day expressing confidence in Mr Hamilton and Mr Coates and their work on the War Cabinet, and he added his personal tribute to their services. The Opposition wholeheartedly desired that they should continue those services as members of the War Cabinet. .... Sneaking of purely domestic politics, Mr Holland said the Opposition from time to time would endeavour to make its contributions to the country s legislation. When good Bills were brought before the House, they would support them where Bills were weak they would endeavour to strengthen them and where Bills were bad they would oppose them with every form of the House. “I will try to play the game from this Bench.’ he concluded and _I think my colleagues will support me.