WAR COUNCIL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1940, Page 6

WAR COUNCIL

MR FRASER DEFENDS PROPOSAL

NOT THE SLIGHTEST DOUBT THAT IT WOULD WORK.

GENERAL ENDORSEMENT OF “ALL-IN” POLICY. .

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day

Commenting on a suggestion that there should be a general election, the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when replying to the second reading debate on the Emergency Regulations Amendment Bill, in the House of Representatives yesterday, said some opponents of the Government contended that too much attention had been paid to the recent by-election in Auckland. He did not think anybody would like the turmoil of partisanship a general election would mean.

Mr Fraser said the question of setting up a War Council had been under consideration long before there was any suggestion of a War Cabinet. He had not the slightest doubt the War Council would work. He agreed that there was a possibility that either a big or small committee would not work. It depended on whether the members put their backs into it. In Great Britain the War Council was a very conspicuous feature of the last war, and according to Lord Haldane it was a great pity Cabinet largely superseded its work. It seemed to the Government desirable that while Parliament and Cabinet should be supreme, because a great deal of power was being taken, a War Council would tend toward the efficient management of the country's affairs. The Government was quite prepared that the Opposition should share the responsibility for the war effort. There would be no delay in the work of the council.

In spite of the ripples of controversy in the House, Mr Fraser said he knew that deep down in every member’s heart was a desire to face up to this hour of danger and do the best they could for the country and the Commonwealth. From all parts of the country came endorsement of the policy of “all in.” The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until Tuesday.