NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 240, 30 June 1915, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

* A NATIONAI CABINET. STATEMENT BY PREMIES. OFFER TO OPPOSITION. WELLINGTON, June 29. An important statement in regard to the readiness of the Government to. form a national cabinet was made by -the Premier when the House reassembled at 7.30 this evening. "I wish to say," said Mr. Massey, "on behalf of myself and the members of the Government, that we are prepared to discuss and consider favourably any reasonable proposal to establish in this country a national cabinet, thus folio v. Jug in a small way what has been done in the United Kingdom. I know that it is quite impossible for the House as ?. whole to discuss the details of this proposal, and I don't intend it attempt to do so, and I would just like to say that I think it is generally recognised that the business to be dealt with in the present session and perhaps: for a long time to come will be suelt that it should not be dealt with on party lines. I think honourable members will agree with mo that my proposal refers only to the war period, and does , not refer to any date beyond that. As soon as the war comes to an end my proposal, if given effect to, will also come oan end. I hope honourable members will take this matter into their serious consideration, consideration which by its importance ft is entitled. Following up that point, I would like to inform honourable members I shall be prepared to confer anii discuss this subject with the Leader of the. Opposition at any time it may .ba convenient for him to do so!, Sir Joseph Ward (Leader of the Opposition) said: The matter just referred to by the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister is one of very great importance, and I cannot in an off-hand wa3 r profess to discuss a matter so far-reaching in its bearings. Until I entered this chamber justn ow I had no idea of the lntcniton of the right, hon. go allude to this important matter. It is only right to say on behalf of tlu3 s?Ce of the House that no proposal of kind referred to has been made by myself or any members of our party. Mr. Massey: Hear, hear. Sir Joseph Ward, continuing, said of course the Premier would recognise that the matter wa3 one which would require to be carefully considered before he (Sir Joseph) could express any opinion regarding it. He referred to the present state of affairs wfcichr the war had occasioned in all parts of the British Empire, and said that with a sense of responsibility to our own country upon his shoulders he was most anxious to do anything possible to provide the well-being of New Zealand and to strengthen the efforts that the Dominion was now making in the direction of assisting the British Empire. At present he could not do more than say the proposal put forward by the Prime Minister would be carefully con* sidered by himself and those associate'! with him in the same generous sense in which it had been brought forward. It, of course, would be perfectly wel! understood that an Opposition Party »a a minority could not and would not move in a matter such as this.

Mr. Massey: I quite agree with the opinion that the Leader ef the Opposition expressed. This is a matter that should not be dealt with hastily ot without proper consideration. My reason for bringing it forward is that I feel very strongly that the energies of every member of Parliament should be given to promoting New Zealand's share in the great struggle in which New Zealand along with every other part of the Empire is engaged, and to bringing this war to a satisfactory conclusion. Sir Joseph Ward: I wish to say on behalf of this side of the House that nothing will be wanting on our part t<v promote the best interests of NewZealand and to help the Mother Country to bring this war to a satisfactoryconclusion. As far as our part is concerned, I want to take the opportunity of saying that I sincerely hope that those responsible in Great Britain for the conduct of the war will not allowany precipitate conclusion of the war until Great Britain and her dependorcies are in tt position to dominate the country which has thrown the svorll into this turmoil.