Important Matters Discussed By House

Northern Advocate, 25 February 1944, Page 4

Important Matters Discussed By House

(P.A.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Although the House sat for only one and a-half hours yesterday afternoon, a number ot important matters were discussed. Members again asked a number of questions including several of an urgent character which were answered by Ministers.

Matters of particular interest were a Bill affecting restoration of licensed hotels in Invercargill and a statement by the Prime Minister concerning service voting at the general election. Remarks by the Prime Minister (Hon. P. Fraser) regarding the secret session, which will be continued into next week, indicated that members would be given up-to-date information regarding activities of New Zealand forces overseas.

Notice of a question to the Minister for Rehabilitation (Major C. F. Skinner) asking whether it was customary for a Minister and Director for Rehabilitation to wear military uniforms when interviewing returned men was given by Mr W. S. Goosman (Waikato) who 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 clothing.

Mr W. A. Sheat (Nat.-Patea) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether a Royal Commission would be appointed to inquire into a report upon all phases of employment in freezing works, waterside and coalmining industries with a view to ascertaining the causes of industrial unrest in those industries and applying remedies.

The House paid tribute to the memory of two former Legislators, Mr David McDougall, Member for Mataura from 1928 to 1938 and Mi - John Rigg- for 21 years member of the Legislative Council. Both died last year. Secret Session

Before the House adjourned at 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., as a mark of respect, Mr Fraser said it was the intention to go into secret session when members re-assembled 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 need for secret sessions on some aspects of the war effort, but they felt 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 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. Needed For Certain Matters

Mr Fraser said 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 not be made public, but other matters, such as manpower, could be t 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 been received, it would not be possible to complete deliberations in the secret session this week. That would be an advantage, as members of the Opposition would have copies supplied to them, the contents of which were partly secret and confidential. He anticipated that they .would have an adjournment until Wednesday when the secret session would be resumed. That would mean delay in moving the Address-in-Reply, but. although that was important there were other matters even more important. The House adjourned until 7 p.m.