NATIONAL PARTY CONCERNED

Southland Times, Issue 23739, 10 February 1939, Page 8

NATIONAL PARTY CONCERNED

Proposal To Summon

Parliament

EXISTING PROBLEMS DISCUSSED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 9. It was considered at a caucus of the National Party, held today, that the situation was so grave that the Government should be asked to call Parliar ment to discuss the emergency that had arisen and to decide the best means of relieving the situation. A full agenda was covered, embracing discussions on all leading political questions, particularly the financial crisis and attendant problems, such as the reduction of trade with England and other countries, the disappearance of the London funds and other reserves, and the decision of the Government to withhold the free doctor service, hospital benefits, free maternity service and free medicines. Reports about organization of the party in various electorates showed an ever-increasing interest in the present political situation. REQUEST MADE TO MR SAVAGE RIGHT TO “APPLY LAWFUL REMEDIES” (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 10. In a letter to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) communicating the motion carried today by the National Party. Caucus, the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) writes: “I have to convey to you the decision arrived at by the parliamentary members of the National Party at a caucus meeting held in Wellington today. The decision was as follows: That in view of the state of emergency now existing in the country’s affairs, this caucus of his Majesty’s loyal Opposition requests that the Government immediately call Parliament together to give the» people’s elected representatives their traditional right to consider the present financial and economic crisis and of applying lawful remedies thereto; and of considering such other matters of urgent national importance, as, for example, the national defence of New Zealand. That the'Government’s refusal to disclose to the people during the General Election campaign the alarming facts which have since been made

public constitutes a grave betrayal of public confidence. “In view of the importance and urgency of the present situation,” Mr Hamilton’s letter continues, “the members of the Opposition hold themselves in readiness to assemble in Parliament at short notice so that no time may be lost in dealing with these questions before the situation drifts any further. I trust that you will give favourable consideration to this request and I shall be pleased to receive an early reply.”