SECRET SESSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 30 April 1942, Page 4

SECRET SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WAR DAMAGE INSURANT 1 '. |From Oui Own Parliamentary iteporterj I 'Yellinston. This Day j- The House of Representatives met . last night under blackout conditions—outside but not inside. Parliament carried on during Wellington’s E.P.S trial y the original meeting time of 7.30 p.m. - being adhered to. although the siicn - had gone about three-quarters of an - hour before. After disposing of formal - business, which consisted mainly of l urgent questions and Ministerial replies. v the House went into secret session to r hear and discuss the latest develop 1 ments In the war situation and also L * facts about the establishment of the s Pacific commands. * Before the Prime Mini-ter (Mr ' Fraser) ‘‘spied strangers in the galler ■ ies" the Leader of the Opposition (Mr s Holland) asked if Mr Fraser was in a g position to make a statement concerning the business to be transacted in Hie s House and also in regard to the sitt.ng f days. He said that a decision on these s matters would assist members in mak , ing arrangements for the remainder of the session. Mr Fraser said that it would meet his convenience, if the House did not , meet until 7.30 p.m. to-day. He thought 5 that by to-night they would have a very good idea of the probable length of session and what would suit the convenience of members. ! Mr Holland said it was hoped that the secret session would be completed that night, to which Mr Fraser replied that if the House would sit until then it ■. would be very helpful. t He also said 1 that during the session amending leg ■-> islation would be introduced to provide :l war damage insurance to cover property 2 should it be necessary to apply a t "scorched earth" policy. It was not a . big measure but it would open up the r w hole question of the War Damage Act. ; its administration and its ramifications 2 up to the present stage. s The House formally went into secret 2 session a few minutes before 8 p.m. . OPPOSED BY MR SCHRAMM A mild stir was caused when Mr F. t W. Schramm 'Government, Auckland East) voiced his opposition strongly to 3 the motion that the House go into secret session. He was the only dissentient. \ but although he left no doubt as to his : views on the subject he he did not call 1 for a division. Interviewed later. Mr Schramm said that he opposed the secret session not because he believed that certain things should not be told in secret, but because 1 he believed too much time was spent in secret session work. He also w f as of • opinion that the Prime Minister should make a statement to the people on the 1 war position, especially in respect to the Pacific. "My opinion is that the Prime Minister has a duty to the people first.” con tinued Mr Schramm. "A secret session should be the second consideration. Ninety per cent, of what has been said ( in secret sessions in the past—and I have attended every one of them—could have been said to the people of New ’ Zealand in open session. " "I am certain that there are other members of the House who support my views, but unfortunately do not support me when it comes to the vote,” K added Mr Schramm, r