DECISION HELD OVER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 April 1941, Page 4

DECISION HELD OVER

FORMATION OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY TO OPPOSITION. MR. HOLLAND INVITED TO JOIN WAR CABINET. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, has told the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, that on the eve of his departure for England it is not possible for him to agree to the Opposition’s offer to join in the formation of -a. National Government .

In announcing this at the Labour Party conference in Wellington yesterday, Mr Fraser said he felt that at the moment such a step would lead to undesirable confusion and therefore would not promote nataional unity. Mr Fraser added that he did not reject the proposal and undertook, immediately on his return from England, to give it full consideration in the light of circumstances then prevailing. Mr Fraser explained that he had invited Mr Holland to join the War Cabinet, and he hoped that he could see his way to do so. He also said that he had expressed to Mr Holland the hope that during his absence on war work and consultation with the British Prime Minister and War Cabinet, a party truce could be mutually arranged.

The attitude of the Prime Minister' was approved by the conference. Mr Holland said last night that the Prime Minister’s statement would receive his careful consideration in consultation with his colleagues. POSITION DISCUSSED. “Shortly after the recent adjournment of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition and myself discussed the war situation and the possible course of events, both at home and abroad, during my absence on my projected visit to the United Kingdom,” said the Prime Minister in his statement. “I expressed the opinion that it was most desirable that during my absence political controversy in the Dominion should be reduced to a minimum, and that both the Government party and the Opposition party should agree at least to suspend their active public platform propaganda. I verbally invited Mr Holland to join the War Cabinet, and expressed my earnest wish that he could see his way to do so. I stated that I proposed to follow this verbal invitation with a formal written one after he had had time to give adequate consideration to the matter. “Yesterday afternoon, Mr Holland informed me that the caucus of the Opposition party had met and had come to the conclusion that the formation of a National Government was necessary, and that the Opposition was prepared to participate in a National Government. PROPOSAL NOT REJECTED. “I pointed out to Mr Holland that it was not possible for me to agree to the proposal on the eve of my departure for the United Kingdom. I felt that such a step at the moment would lead to undesirable

and therefore would not promote n«ri tional unity. I further made it clear that I did not reject the proposal, and undertook that immediately on my return from the United Kingdom it would receive full consideration in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, and a decision would be made. “I stated that in the opinion of the Government the question of the postponement of the general election, which might be advisable and even inevitable owing to war developments, would necessarily involve the question of the formation of a National Government. and that neither I nor my colleagues would even suggest the postponement if its only effect was to retain the Government in office. “I- again invited Mr Holland to join the War Cabinet and assist in the allimportant work being ably carried on by all members of that body pending my return to New Zealand. I also expressed the hope that, during the period of my absence on war work and consultation with the British Prime Minister and War Cabinet, a party truce, to be made as effective as possible, could be mutually arranged. “Last evening Mr Holland was good enough to furnish me with a copy of the statement which appears in this morning's Press.

“I hope that in view of what I have said, and the additional fact that I am leaving sooner than I anticipated, the question can be further considered by the Opposition Party, and that Mr Holland can see his way to serve during my absence in the War Cabinet, which directs and controls New Zealand's war effort," concluded the Prime Minister.

His attitude -was approved by the conference.