PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1940, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

THE SESSION ENDS

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 6. Hon. P. Fraser intimated this afternoon,after the third reading of tho Finance Bill (Number 4) had been passed, that an opportunity would .be given to Mr Doidge* and Mr Meachen to make brief statements, and both members were requested by the Speaker, Mr Barnard, not to deal with controversial subjects Mr Meachen explained that he had considered it his plain duty to bring the reported remarks oT Mr Doidge before the House, and after consulting the Speaker, he was left with no other alternative than to have a question included in the Order Paper for Thursday. He wanted to be fair, and lie wanted the Member for Tauranga to be able to explain liis object in making the statement that had been reported. Mr Meachen considered that he had taken every possible step, in a fair way to bring his question before the House. In his opinion, the statement of Mr Doidge was not helpful to he war effort. Mr Doidge said he considered that Mr Meachen must have known the procedure lie had adopted would not have given him (Mr Doidge) an opportunity of reply. Mr Meachen had taken only a portion of what he had said from the context of the report. He contended that his main criticism was directed to a statement that we could not make a maximum war effort on the forty-hour week. If Mr Mcaclien had been actuated by a desire to lie fair to him, lie might at 'east have shown him the question before it was asked in the House, ipstead of allowing it to burst upon him like a bombshell. The only criticism lie had made of the Government, or which could be so construed, was the statement that we lacked inspirational leadership, and that the result was deadly complacency among many of our people. They had heard the Prime Minister himself declare that only a bombshell on the breakfast table would awaken some people this country to war consciousness. Mr Fraser: “When was that rtrnark made?” Mr Doidge repeated that he had hear Mr Fraser say it; and when Mr Fraser had forcefully repeated bis request to know when it had been said, Mr Doidge stated that it had been said ,in much fuller terms, in the House tbe night before. Mr Fraser said that the House had been in secret session the previous night, and he maintained that Mr Doidge had committed an infringement of. a sacred trust. The Speaker upheld . a point oi order raised by the Prime Minister. Mr Doidge said that his reference had been purely inadvertent. No member bad done more than himself to urge that New Zealand * should contribute a maximum war effort to the Empire cause. Mr F raser then, made his appeal* to Members, to refrain from making statements which reflected on the ■country’s* war effort. . In. a further brief statement, j Mr Fraser said' that his attention had been circulating to' the effect that tcertain delay had occurred recently in connection with the loading of an overseas, ship at a New Zealand por. When the ship had eventually sailed, she. had been lost. It had been stated that the delay in the •ailing, of the vessel had corresponded with a difficulty in getting her loaded. The Prime Minister said be had made enquiries, .in the matter, and Had been informed that the only delay that occurred in loading the vessel was about one and a-half days, on account of bad weather., There had been no other delay. The House then adjourned at 4.33 until the ringing of the bells, resuming a s.ti-3 p.in., when the usual valedictory speeches were made. The Prime Minister, after thanking the various officers of the House and the officials for their .services, and also the Members of the House lor. the manner in which the business of the House had been conducted, paid a tribute to the people el Britain in this, their hour of trial, but said lie would like to send them a message in the name of every Member of the House, and every person in the country, assuring them of l iie unswerving loyalty, and support of the people of this country to the cause which the Commonwealth is espousing, and expressing solidarity with the people of Great Britain and the .Commonwealth. ■Mr S. G. Holland also associated the Opposition with the Prime Minister’s message. Mr Fraser also intimated, earlier during the afternoon, that a new session would commence at the end of February, or early in March. The session concluded at 6.25 p.m., when the House rose.