WAR CABINET FORMED.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVIII, Issue 123, 17 July 1940, Page 3

WAR CABINET FORMED.

MESSRS HAMILTON AND COATES INCLUDED FULL MINISTERIAL RANK. WELLINGTON, Last night. The formation of a War Cabinet consisting of three members of the Government and two members of the Opposition, all with full Ministerial rank, was announced by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) when the House of Representatives met this afternoon. The War Cabinet will consist of the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, the Hon. W. Nash, the Hon. F. Jones, the Hon. Adam Hamilton and the Rt. Hon. ,1. G. Coates. These members will have the fulltime task of directing the war effort of New Zealand, and it is understood that the new Ministers will be sworn in at Government House to-morrow. The general Cabinet will continue to attend to all matters outside the war effort. ‘As the outcome of negotiations between the Leader of the Opposition and myself, a War Cabinet will be formed and will be in control of New Zealand’s war effort,” said Mr Fraser, in making the announcement. “This Cabinet will consist of five members —three members of the Government and two from the Opposition. All members will have full Ministerial rank.

“The particular functions of the War Cabinet will be to decide and to direct those matters concerned with defence, military assistance to Great Britain, production for war purposes, war finance requirements, emergency 7 regulations so far as they apply to the war effort, and generally to implement the policy of Parliament in relation to New Zealand’s participation in the war. “The effect of this arrangement is that there will be two Cabinets directing the country’s affairs at the present time. The War Council will control New Zealand’s war effort, and its decisions shall be conclusive. The general Cabinet will continue to function in the usual way in regard to all other matters, existing Ministers retaining their present portfolios. “The Prime Minister will be the head of both Cabinets, and, of course, will retain his constitutional position in each of them. Any action which becomes necessary for the purpose of securing Governmental co-ordina-tion arising out of the virtual existence of two Cabinets will thus be taken hv the Prime Minister in accordance with his constitutional position. “As has been stated previously, the Government has fully appreciated the necessity for united effort—today all the more urgent because of the development of the war situation in Europe. The formation of a War Cabinet will give complete opportunity for unity of action in war matters by the two political parties, without disturbing existing arrangements in regard to Governmental control of the country’s affairs generally. ”

The Prime Minister said that the decision to form a War Cabinet would ensure unity of and action, which was so essential in the prosecution of the supreme war effort required in support? of Great Britain, and he was certain that it would find an echo in the hearts of the people throughout New Zealand, as it should give to all sections of the community confidence in the unity of Parliament and the country’s political leaders. This type of cooperative direction, he said, would meet effectively the needs of the difficult days ahead, and would inspire all to unite selflessly in the common task to achieve victory.

“With regard to the War Council, this body is already functioning and is doing good work, and it will continue to function for the purpose for which it was set up,” added Mr Fraser.