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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 13 February 1942, Page 4

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DISCUSSION ON HOLLAND MEMORANDUM REASONS EXPLAINED TO 110 l SI! PARTY LEADERS IN AGREEMENT (From Our I’arlianientary Reportci ) Wellington, Tim Day. Reason.'' why the discussion on Mr Holland’s memorandum wa not con Keprc.senta/ives although sections of the memorandum had been set aside! for such debate were given before the j I louse adjourned last night. The Speak or (Mr Barnard) raised the point and i stated that when he had’discussed the ! matter with the Prime Minister 'Mr | Fraser) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) they had agreed that (under existing circumstances it was inI advisable' to have an open discussion on , ; subjects contained in t:.e document. The Speaker 'Mr Barnard) said that ; in discussions with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition he . fell it his duty to suggest that certain, i matters contained in the memorandum ;were not in his judgment wholly suitable to be debated over the air. Mr i Fraser and Mr Holland concurred with him in this view. ! Mr Fraser said that while it was desirable where possible to avoid dis : cussions on matters that were ol an acute controversial nature in existing j circumstances there were some com - j rades of members or relatives of members of the House strenuously engaged : overseas. Therefore it would not be | (■• nducive to the success of the war j effort if there were any bitter contro , versy. He knew that- some members ol both parties would like to discuss in | public some of the matters still left on j the agenda and while he personally had ! i given an assurance that there would be j j a opportunity for such discussion an j assurance to which he would like to j I adhere, he appreciated the matter when it was brought before him by Mr ; Speaker. When it was pointed out that i ericumstances had changed there had been nothing else to Jo but to accept ( the ruling of Mr Speaker, with which i he personally concurred. The procedure adopted had been in- i tended to promote the fullest discussion ' and give the utmost information to ' members in secrei session on matters; that could not well be discussed in pub- i lie, said Mr Fraser. He regretted that' jit had been necessary for Mr Speaker to i rule in the direction he had ruled. Without referring to anything i that had happened in secret session, | when (he matter had. he thought, been discussed very fully and satisfactorily. he felt as leader of the House and as a member of the War Cabinet, that if there were anything in future of a nature that was arousing doubt in the minds of the public in regard to the country’s j war effort and the responsibilities j of the War Cabinet, then a vote of no-confidence in the" War Cabinet would be the best ■ ay to clear the minds of the people of such doubts. There was nothing to regret in the! course that bad been followed, said the 1 Prime Minister, nor was there anything to cause uneasiness in the minds of the public. He naturally would have preferred that times, had been normal so (that the ordinary course of political ( debate could hold sway, but with the {Leader of the Opposition he bowed to | Mr Speaker’s ruling and considered it a wise one. Mr Holland said he could not but agree with the course followed, which was the sensible way to handle the j matter. There were times when it was not wise to discuss certain matters and other times when it was better to postpone the discussion In consultations he had had with - Mr Speaker and the Prime Minister unanimity had been . reached and in the interests of public security it was wise to take the course they were taking without giving up any of their rights. As members of Parliament they had a great respon sibility to the people and they tried to discharge that responsibility to the full. ' He would not like to think anybody would interpret the discussion on the } memorandum as meaning the slightest lack of confidence in the War Cab.net. ! The whole of the discussion had been conducted on a plane which need give 1 no man cause to blush. Mr Holland said that when Mr ' Speaker communicated with him he ’ had instantly appreciated the situation. '(The ruling, however, did not establish ■ a precedent and it would not be neces -jsary to undo anything in the future. I (The public would be pleased to know ? I that in an unusual situation the leaders ii of the two parties could get together land try to settle difficulties in a comi ( monsense way. though the two parties i 1 might not always be best suited to meet I I some situations. > j The Speaker explained that the : j House had vested him with certain res- ; j possibilities as to what went over the j air. Foreseeing difficulty in carrying out I his duty in that respect he made rep presentations first to the Prime Minister i and subsequently to the Leader ol the Opposition, pointing out his difficulties j and explaining that statements made with the best intention in the world ;; might be of advantage to the enemy or {might convey a wrong impression to lour friends overseas. Fortunately for him the way was easy because Mr i Fraser and Mr Holland concurred in ! the view he put before them. Had the , leader of the House not concurred with | his point of view he should have left it Ito the House to decide the matter, and then have carried out his duties as best he could. Happily that position had not arisen. “In no sense am I a dictator. but at all times the servant of the (House.” said Mr Barnard.