WAR CABINET PROPOSALS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 119, 22 May 1942, Page 4

WAR CABINET PROPOSALS

■THE R.S.A. proposal to the Prime Minister was that he should * "strengthen" the War Cabinet. Nothing in the published proposal Indicated that the strengthening was to be done by increasing the War Cabinet's number. That, apparently, is the Prime Minister's idea, which has led the Hon. W. Downie Stewart to give a measured warning of the dangers of sectional representation. What is it that those who have been pressing for a change desire? They point out, first, that the existing War Cabinet, although the Opposition is represented upon it, is not the supreme governing body in the country, as it should be, for the attempt to separate war activities from those not associated with the war is increasingly out of harmcny with realities. With every day that passes it can be said more truly that the requirements of the war are paramount, and civil requirements ever more subordinate. This should be recognised and reflected in the political organisation at the top. Secondly, It is contended that the war administration is insufficiently vigorous, decisive and speedy, that not only is there delay in making decisions, but further delay in carrying them out, and that these delays, while tolerable in peace-time, should have no place in. an organisation which has to anticipate and act against the moves of a resourceful and ruthless enemy.

In special circumstances, it is true, the existing administration has acted with admirable vigour and speed. It did so when the need suddenly arose to organise, assemble and dispatch a large construction force for important work abroad. It did so again when it appointed Mr James Fletcher as Commissioner of Defence Construction. But in the latter case the experience, vigour and "drive" of the commissioner could be given full play only by entrusting him with exceptional powers, allowing him to ignore or over-ride the normal procedure. What is needed is a War Cabinet so composed of experienced and vigorous men that it would be able to make the exceptional happening normal. Such a Cabinet, as Mr. Downie Stewart emphasises, is not to be found bv bringing together a number of men representing special groups (If it ' orce9 - which are in one sense the most important i? £ in the, country, should have very strong representation.) It Is to be found only if the Prime Minister will disregard the "representation idea, and choose men, a small number of men for their personal ability to grapple with the special problems of this time.