THIS WEEK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 291, 9 December 1941, Page 8

THIS WEEK

HOUSE TO MEET PLANS ALTERED OPENING ON THURSDAY (0.C.) WELLINGTON, this day. The New Zealand Parliament is to assemble on Thursday afternoon of this week for the special purpose of considering the war situation in the light of Japan's attack in the Pacific. Originally the Intention was to call Parliament together next week, but the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, following a further meeting of the War Cabinet this morning, said the position had been reviewed since last night and it had now been decided that the House should reopen the day after to-morrow. It would be necessary, continued Mr. Fraser, to - have a formal open-, ing by his Excellency the Governor-; General, Sir Cyril Newall, because the sitting would mark the beginning of a new session, the fourth of the present Parliament. Parliament would assemble at 2.30 p.m., after which tributes would be Eaid to members and previous memers of the Legislature who had died since the House was last in session. These include Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Allen (Hauraki), Lieutenant A. G. Hultquist (Bay of Plenty), both of whom had died in their country's service in the Middle East, and Mr. T. D. Burnett (Temuka) another sitting member. Following the tributes of respect the House will adjourn until the evening at 7.30, when members will meet again to consider the war situation. Mr. Fraser said part of the sitting would be in open session and part in secret, but whether the secret session would be held- on Thursday night or on Friday had not yet been determined. He added -that he did not expect. it would be necessary for Parliament to sit beyond Friday.