"TIED TO SEATS"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 43, 19 August 1943, Page 4

"TIED TO SEATS"

OPPOSITION COMPLAINT

The absence of the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) in the Far North while other members "were tied to their seats" in the House was criticised by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Mr. Holland said it would appear that the Prime Minister did not consider that the business of the House was of sufficient importance to be in his place. "Quite frankly," added Mr. Holland, "I don't think that is fair. I do not think it is cricket."

Mr. Holland said he hoped that the Acting Leader of the House (Mr. Sullivan) might be able to give them an indication of the nature of'the business to come before the House, and that it might also be possible to settle the question of the broadcasting procedure during the election campaign. "I cannot book a hall anywhere in New Zealand because I don't know what arrangements are being made," said Mr. Holland. "The members on the other side of the House know and they are booking halls everywhere." Mr. A. S. Richards (Government. Roskill): You have got them booked all over the Dominion.

Mr. Holland said that all members were a little anxious concerning thebusiness of the House and when the House was likely to adjourn. A good many people were already campaigning in'their electorates and the Prime Minister was to address a public meeting at Whangarei that night. Mr. Sullivan said : he thought Mr. Holland was being somewhat unreasonable or else his memory was letting him down. The Prime Minister had already told Mr. Holland that he did not anticipate the business being completed until August 25 or perhaps a little later. "BE QUIET FOR ONCE!" Mr. F. W. Doidge (National, Tauranga): Why is he electioneering while we are tied to our seats? bMr. Sullivan: Oh, be ouiet for once! Continuing, Mr. Sullivan said that Mr. Holland had been informed by the Prime Minister that he would be away from Wellington for a time before the end of the session and that he' would be speaking in the north. The Prime Minister would be back for the next day's sitting, and if Mr. Holland wanted an answer for the third time, he would then have the opportunity. ! The Minister of Finance (Mr. Nash) said he had agreed to discuss the question of broadcasting with the Leader of. the Opposition. The day was not lover, and he would arrange to have the discussion with Mr. Holland, in accordance with the undertaking he had given. • •- ■ .