PARLIAMENT’S APPROVAL

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1939, Page 8

PARLIAMENT’S APPROVAL

N.Z. WAR DECLARATION Unanimity Shown [Per Press Association]. PARLIAMENT BLDGS., September 5. The House met at 2.30 p.m. to-day for the first time since the state of war has existed with Germany and, as was to be anticipated, there was a large attendance of members, but the galleries were not by any means filled. There was a dramatic silence immediately after prayer, when the Act-ing-Leader of the House, Hon. P. Fraser stated, that, in view of the outbreak of war, there were a number of papers, dealing with the present state of hostilities, which he wish, ed to lay on the table of the House. These included documents relating w the outbreak of war between Germany and Poland, and also telegrams and other communications between the New Zealand Government and that of Great Britain, relating to our own declaration of war with Germany. Mr Fraser then moved a formal resolution approving and confirming the declaration of the state of war Between New Zealand and Germany. Mr Fraser said he was confident that the whole House an f ; the country would approve of the decision of the New Zealand Government, and that a united people would place itself at the disposal of the Government for the purpose of taking every possible step to further the common cause. He emphasised the vital necessity of ending aggression, and he voiced continued and unshakable loyalty of members to His Majesty the King. The motion was seconded by the Leader of the Opposition Hon. A. Hamilton, who. endorsed the sentiments expressed by the Acting-Leader of the House, in moving it. Mr Hamilton also expressed the loyalty of all members to the cause to which the Empire had set its heart. The motion was passed unanimously, and the members rose to sing “God Save the King,” which was followed by three cheers for His Majesty. Mr Fraser announced that arrangements had been reached between the Government and the members of the Opposition that, to facilitate the business of the country in the present crisis, the House would pass all of the remaining classes of the ordinary Estimates to-dav. and would then adjourn until next Tuesday. In the interval, said Mr Fraser, the Government would have the opportunity of reviewing the whole situation arising from the War, and also of reconsidering the whole question of the legislation which it had been proposed to pass during the present session. The Government would be in a position, in a week to report on those matters. Mr Fraser also expresses appreciation of the manner in which the Opposition had met the Government in the present hour of trial. Mr Hamilton said that the Opposition had agreed to do anything possible to facilitate the proceedings. The Government had a number of grave and important decisions to make, and it was only fair to give them breathing space. The members of his Party were quite willing to co-operate with the Government in any way in which they desired.

Offer of N.Z. Support FOR BRITISH GOVERNMENT. WELLINGTON, September 5. The Governor-General of New Zealand (Lord Galway) has sent the following cablegram to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Sir Thomas Inskip):— “With reference to the intimation just received that a state of war exists between the United Kingdom and Germany. H ; s Majesty’s Government in New' Zealand desires immediately in associate itself with His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom in honouring its pledged word. “It entirely concurs with the action taken which it regards as inevitably forced ucon the British Commonwealth if the cause of justice, freedom, and democracy is to endure in this world. “The existence of a state of war with Germany has accordingly been proclaimed in New Zealand, and His Majesty’s Government in New Zealand would be grateful if His Maesty’s Government, in the United Kingdom would take any steps that may be necessarv to indicate to the German Government that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand associates itself in this matter with the act’on taken by His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom. “The New Zealand Government wishes to offer to the British Governrrnnt the fullest assurance of all possible support. It is convinced that the sten that has been taken will meet with the approval of the people of th's Dominion, and it will give fullest consideration in due course to any suggestion of the British Government as to the method or methom bv which this Dominion can best assist in the common cause.”

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS. FOR A WEEK. WELLINGTON, September 5. The House adjourned to-night at 10.23 p.m. until next Tuesday, authority being granted to Select Committees to meet during the recess. N.Z. Parliament END OF SESSION SOON. WELLINGTON, September 5. The generar expectation in the lobbies is that the session will soon reach its close. N o major legislation has been announced, and it is likely that a good many of the less important bills which were to have been brought forward will now be dropped. In the circumstances, it would be surprising if the session lasted until the end of the month.