MR AMERY IN THE HOUSE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 30 November 1927, Page 6

MR AMERY IN THE HOUSE

ADDRESS TO MEMBERS HOME AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS (By Telegraph) (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary - WELLINGTON, 28th November. When the House of Representatives met at 2.30 this afternoon, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) asked whether the House was prepared to go into a private session or a secret session to hear an address from the Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, Undersecretary of State for the Dominions, on tile subject of “Foreign Affairs.” Mr Coates said that Mr Amery had had such an opportunity in addressing the Commonwealth Parliament. It was suggested that Mr Amery might address the House for an hour and a half, and the rest of the time be taken up in asking questions. Mr Amery, _ would only agree to give an address, provided that it was strictly confidential. There was a difference between, a secret session and a private session, but the point was that secrecy would have to be observed. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr - 11. E. Holland): “Do you propose to exclude the public?” •Mr Coates replied in the affirmative. •/ ' ' . Tv7r Hollarid: “And the Press.” Mr Coates replied that Mr Speaker would advise the House on that point. The Press would he excluded so far as the making of reports was concerned. In . answer to a further question by Mr Holland, Mr Coates-indicated that • if “any members o'f the Press remained it could onlv he members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. No others could he allowed. Mr Holland: “We could not agree to the Press coming in under those circumstances. We would want the ‘New Zealand Worker’ representatives here.” In reply to Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister said that it could be agreed > that the session would be private', provided members l’ealised that what was said was secret and confidential. Members of the Legislative Council might he present in the galleries, but apart from that and certain, official visitors no one could he present. At 2.40 p.rn. Mr Speaker asked that all strangers withdraw from the galleries, and the members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery withdrew. .During the time the House sat the public galleries were cleared.