SHADOW OF CRISIS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20032, 2 September 1939, Page 14

SHADOW OF CRISIS

STATEMENT IN HOUSE EMERGENCY MEASURES FINANCE DEBATE FADES INVOLUNTARY ‘BLACK-OUT’ (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Carrying on its discussions of the Estimates throughout Friday, members of the House of Representatives, overshadowed by the greater events in Europe, could not devote themselves single-mindedly to their responsibilities. There was an air of unreality about the proceedings, and though the millions needed were duly passed, scarcely one topic was fully debated, members being mainly concerned to obtain information about their expenditure. The longest speeches were made by the Ministers in charge of the Estimates, who answered questions.

It became known early in uie day that the Government had decided to put into operation measures prepared in more placid limes for the maintenance of national safety in any emergency. For nearly a year the National Security Committee, working in direct touch with the Prime Minister, had been preparing the way for action in any emergency, either international or caused through local calamity. The fruit of this work was seen in a mass of regulations, covering all possibilities of the present situation, which were signed yesterday afternoon by the Governor-General, and at once became operative.

The Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, interviewed the Gov-ernor-General late in the afternoon, and members of the House awaited his return from Government House with tense expectancy. It was after 5 o’clock when Mr. Fraser appeared in his place. The Chief Government Whip, Mr. J. O’Brien, conferred wijh him, and immediately crossed the floor to consult the chief Opposition Whip, Mr. J. J. Kyle. The latter spoke quietly to the Leader of the Opposition, and signalled members of the party, who immediately stopped asking questions, and the Chairman of Committees reported progress. Then, with Mr. Speaker in the chair, the way was open for the Acting Prime Minister to make his statement that a state of emergency was being proclaimed. He interpolated in his written statement the fact that New Zealand was now taking measures already in operation ih Australia, under the terms of its Defence Act.

Having put down his prepared statement, Mr. Fraser added: “I wish to again repeat what I stated at the commencement, that these measures l are taken as precautionary measures. 1 There has been no exceptional development. in the international situation, and the powers embodied in these regulations will be exercised with care and caution, and with a maximum consideration for the liberty of the people cf the Dominion." The passing of an electrical storm over the city, when the Acting Prime Minister was making his statement, added a dramatic touch to the occasion. Loud peals of thunder were heard while Mr. Fraser was speaking, and the .storm eventually caused an interruption in the power supply, Wellington experiencing a complete “black-out” for which man was not responsible.