PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1944, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

■ URGENT QUESTIONS Ministerial Replies WELLINGTON, Feb. 24 Although the House sat for only one and a-half hours this afternoon, a number of important matters were discussed. Members again asked a number of question. Several were of the urgent character. They were answered by Mrnrsters. Matters of particular interest a Bill affecting the restor ? 1 t 1 10 ” ri H °a licensed hotels in and a statement by the Prime Minister concerning the Service, voting at the general election. prot;Remarks were made by Mr eraser regarding the secret session, which will be continued into next week He indicated that members would be given up-to-date information regarding the activities of the New Zealand forces overseas QUESTION OF CLOTHES . Notice of a question to the Minister of Rehabilitation, asking wheiher it was customary for the Minister and Director of Rehabilitation to wear military uniforms when, interviewing returned men was given bv Mr W. S Goosman (Nat., Waikato). He added: “If so, would it not be better, for the feelings of the men if they were to meet them on common ground by wearing civilian clo inqu’i’ry into industrial UNREST. Mr W. A. Sheat (Nat., Patea), <mve notice to ask the Prime Minister whether a Royal Commission would be appointed to inquire into and report upon all of the phases oi employment in the freezing works, the waterside, and the coal mining industries, with a view to ascertaining causes of industrial unrest in those industries! and applying remedies. EQUITY IN PRICES . . “We have never sent a minister, abroad without authority,” declared Mr Fraser, answering an urgent question by Mr A. J. Murdoch (Nat., Marsden), concerning Hon. W. Nashs negotiations in London, Mr Murdoch inquired if Mr Nash had any authority to conduct in London discussions which, according to the Minister of Marketing, related to the increases in the prices of materials being paid by New Zealand for British good as relative to the fixed prices of New Zealand goods. Mr Fraser said that Mr Nash had full authority to discuss the relationship between the prices charged for the British manufactures being sent to New Zealand and the prices we received for .the Dominion’s products sent to Britain. DECEASED LEGISLATORS

The House paid a tribute to the memory of two former legislators, Mr David McDougall, member for M.ataura from 1928 to 1938, and Mr John Rigg, for 21 years a member of the Legislative Council. Both died last year. SECRET SESSION Before the House adjourned' at 4 p.m. until 7.30 p.m. as a mark of respect, Mr Fraser said that it was the intention to go into a secret session when the members re-as-sembled for the purpose of discussing aspects of the war effort of the country which could not possibly be discussed in open meeting. Mr Holland said that Opposition members were agreed that there was a need for secret sessions on some aspects of the war effort. They felt, however, that secret sessions should be minimised as much as possible. Manpower would have to be discussed later, and it would be better discussed in the light of the information that could be got at a secret session. Opposition members wanted to reserve their right to discuss some matters, of which manpower was one, in open session. Mr Fraser said that the intention of the Government was exactly expressed by the Leader of the Opposition. They needed a secret session to discuss certain matters that could hot be made public, but othei’ matters, sjuch as manpower, could be discussed in a broad general manner in open session.

Mr Fraser added that, unless certain messages of great importance, which had been expected .for some days, had already been received, it would not be possible to complete the deliberations in secret session this week. That would be an advantage, as the members of the Opposition. would have supplied to them information which was partly secret and confidential. He anticipated that they have an adjournment that night until next Wednesday, when the secret, session would be resumed. That would mean a delay in moving the Address-in-Reply, but, although that, was important, there were other matters even more important. The House then adjourned until 7.30. REPORT ON SECRET.SESSION. P.A. WELLINGTON, Feb. 24. When the House resumed at 7.30 to-night, if went into secret session, adjourning shortly before ten o’clock until 2.30 on Wednesday. Following the secret session the following official report was issued by direction of Mr. Speaker: “After a brief review of the general war situation, the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) gave particulars of adjustments already made in the fighting services following the more favourable position m the Phcificb While this had made men available for necessary production, the rapidly changing situation in various war zones had raised further problems which made it imperative to examine the whole question of the best contribution to be made by New Zealand to the united waxeffort. Cabled communications received from the United States and the United Kingdom were laid before the House, which decided that adequate time was needed for members to study reports and statistics placed m their possession. An adjournment was therefore taken until Wednesday, March 1.”