WAR CABINET

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21599, 9 December 1941, Page 4

WAR CABINET

SITUATION CONSIDERED PARLIAMENT TO ASSEMBLE USE OF LOCAL FORCES ’ EFFECT OF HOLIDAYS WELLINGTON, Monday An announcement that Parliament would be called together next week, probably on Thursday, December 18, was made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, at the conclusion of a meeting of the War Cabinet just before midnight. Mr Fraser said that the War Cabinet had been engaged on work arising from the war situation. The question of the most effective use of local forces was under consideration, and that of the part to be played by the Emergency Precautions Services and the Home Guard was under review.

The Prime Minister added that the effect of the holiday season on war activities was being considered. An announcement of the War Cabinet’s decision on these matters would be made without delay. Cabinet Sessions

Two meetings of the War Cabinet were held today, one this morning and the other tonight, following the return to Wellington of the Prime Minister, who reached Parliament Buildings at 5.45 o’clock, having travelled by special aeroplane from Gisborne to Rongotai. The ordinary Cabinet also met, and tonight Mr Fraser saw the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, who had hastily returned from the South Island.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air-Com-modore H. W. L. Saunders, and his successor, Air-Commodore R. V. Goddard, who were in Christchurch to make an inspection of South Island air stations, returned to Wellington immediately. With the heads of the other fighting services and the Government’s advisers on foreign affairs, they attended tonight’s meeting of the War Cabinet. Week-end Activities In the temporary absence of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, presided at the War Cabinet meeting this morning, and at a meeting of the ordinary Cabinet this afternoon. The War Cabinet, which had been in session almost continuously over the week-end, sat at 9 o’clock this morning, and rose at 1.20. The War Cabinet sat again at 7.30 o’clock tonight, and at 10.15 the Prime Minister left to see the Gover-nor-General. He was away for about 45 minutes.