Parliament

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 282, 23 August 1940, Page 10

Parliament

SECRET SESSION

Discussion On Dominion’s

War Effort

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS For tlie purpose of discussing tlie latest developments in the war situation, the House of Representatives met yesterday in secret session for the third time .since tlie opening of Parliament tit the end of May. Formal business occupied only five minutes when the House assembled in the afternoon, and at its conclusion the usual procedure for beginning a session in secret was followed. Tlie Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, drew the attention of tlie Speaker, Mr. Barnard, to tlie presence of "strangers,-” who were ordered to heave. Senior representatives of the fighting services were on tbe fioor of the House.

A particularly late sitting was generally expected, as Mr. Fraser said on Wednesday that it would be preferable to complete the business of the secret session at one sitting, and enable tbe House to proceed today with the programme of minor Bills in hand. The following official report was issued by tlie Speaker when tlie House rose at tbe conclusion of the secret session shortly after midnight:— “Tlie Prime Minister reviewed developments in the international situation since the House last met in secret session. The Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, then outlined what had been done to strengthen our home defences and to train men for service here and overseas. 'The supply situation in New Zealand and possible sources of supply from abroad were dealt with by the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan. The work of the War Cabinet and the problems being faced were discussed by Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Coates. There were 15 other speakers. The. House will meet again at 10.30 a.m. today.