Procedure Questioned

Northern Advocate, 28 August 1947, Page 6

Procedure Questioned

Samoan Changes . . .

'(P.A.) WELLINGTON. This Day. A strong protest against the procedure adopted in bringing to the notice of the House the Government’s proposal to change the constitution of Western Samoa was made by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) after Mr Nash’s statement yesterday. Mr Holland said the announcement came as a great surprise and the Minister’s statement contained some highly controversial matter. It was not usual for controversial subjects to be raised when a Minister was given permission by the House to make a statement.

He asked if the Government was proposing to introduce any legislation affecting Samoa.

Mr Nash: Yes. Mr Holland said there was no indication of that course in the statement. He considered that all papers and information concerning the proposed legislation should be laid before all members of the House. PROMISE BY P.M. In view of the promise made by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) before he left for Canberra, that an International Affairs Committee would be set up to consider matters such as were now proposed, why had that committee not yet been set up? The Opposition nominations for the committee had been forwarded to the Prime Minister, but nothing had resuited, yet*. “We have not heard a whisper of any of the changes proposed,” said Mr Holland, who added that, though discussions had been held outside the house, one half of the House had been ignored. He protested strongly against this procedure and suggested that the committee be set up immediately and no further steps be taken until the whole Samoan question and the related documents had been examined.

A principle was involved and he considered a near breach of faith had been committed by the acting Prime Minister.

Mr Nash said the House would have every opportunity to discuss whatever legislation wai necessary to bring about the changes proposed.

NORMAL PROCEDURE The normal procedure had been followed and legislation would come to the House for determination. All information would be made available to members. He was anxious that the International Affairs Committee should be set up as soon as possible. Mr K. J. Holyoake (O—Pahiatua): The session is already half over. Mr Nash said no discourtesy in the slightest degree had been intended. The policy of the Government' right from the start —and it had been reiterated many times—had been to give to the Samoans the maximum of selfgovernment, said the Minister. No discourtesy was intended by taking this course to give notice of the Government’s intentions. Mr Holland: I accept that statement without any reservation at all.