EARLY SESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 34, 10 February 1939, Page 11

EARLY SESSION.

— I OPPOSITION REQUEST.! "A STATE OF EMERGENCY." LETTER TO MR. SAVAGE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON Thursday. A caucus of Parliamentary members of the National party in Wellington to-day held that the situation in the Dominion was so grave that the Government be asked to call Parliament together in order to discuss; tlie emergency that had arisen and tq decide the best means of relieving the position. A full agenda was covered by the caucus embracing discussions on all leading political questions, with particular reference-to the financial crisis and attendant problems such as tlio reduction of trado ; with. England and other countries, the disappearance of London funds and other reserves, and the decision of the Government to withhold free medical service, Jiospital.benefits, free maternity service and free medicines. .' . ' "Lawful Remedies." * In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Et. "Hon; M. J. Savage, communicating the caucus'.motion, the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, writes: "The-decision reached was Its follows: 'That iu view of the state of emergency now existing in the country's a if airs, this caucus of His Majesty's loyal Opposition requests that the Government immediately call Parliament together to give the- people's elected representatives their traditional right to consider tlie present financial and economic crisis' ami of applying lawful remedies thereto,: and of considering such other matters of .urgent national importance as, for example, the national defence of New Zealand; and that the Government's refusal to disclose to the people during the general 'election campaign ahiruiiug facts which have since been niajde. public constitutes a grave betrayal of public confidence.' Early Keply Asked. "In view of the importance and urgency of the present situation, members of the Opposition hold themselves in readiness to assemble In, Parliament at short notice.so that no time-be lost in dealing with these questions before the situation drifts any further. "I trust that you will give favourable consideration-to this request and I shall be pleased to receive an early reply." Reports received by caucus ioucerning the organisation of the party in various electorates indicated an ever-increas-ing interest in the present political situation, '•