TENSION IN FEDERAL HOUSE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21817, 21 November 1940, Page 5

TENSION IN FEDERAL HOUSE

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 20, 11.30 p.m.) CANBERRA, November 19. The Commonwealth Parliament opened to-day. The tension resulting from the Government’s precarious position was clearly evident in the lobbies. The Government safely negotiated the first hurdle when its nominee, Mr W. M. Nairn, of Western Australia, was elected Speaker. The Prime Minister told a Labour member, Mr Rosevear, that the Federal Cabinet does not intend to take action concerning the refusal of the New Zealand Government to permit Australians working in New Zealand to return. The Minister of External Affairs, Sir Frederick Stewart, also referred to the matter in reply to another questioner. Sir Frederick said that Australians who reside in New Zealand for more than two years had little prospect of escaping liability for military service in that Dominion. He- said the fourth category comprised persons resident in New Zealand for more than two years who had gone to New Zealand with no intention of residing there permantntly. In their case permits would be

granted after an examination of each case on its merits. The Prime Minister, at a later stage, said the Government was of the opinion that it should not attempt to interfere with the administration of the laws of a sister Dominion. Heavier Financial Burdens The Governor-General’s speech at the opening of Parliament dealt with the war situation after which Lord Gowrie said the Government relied confidently on the Australian people doing and paying for everything within their physical capacity to protect Australia’s integrity and make the greatest possible contribution to the success of British arms. The Budget, to be presented to-morrow, would impose upon the Australian people financial burdens heavier than ever before. After directing attention to recent industrial disputes on war contracts, Lord Gowrie said the Australian Advisory War Council had made recommendations which the Government hoped would greatly improve the machinery for the maintenance of industrial peace among workers engaged in munition and other factories.