PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

ASSEMBLY IN JUNE. PREMIER’S STATEMENT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 16. An announcement that it- was proposed to arrange for Parliament to meet early in June was made by the Prime Minister (Hon. P. braser) in an interview to-night, when the statement bv tho Leader of the Opposition (Hon. A. Hamilton) on the 1 unction of Parliament in wartime issued today was referred to him. Mr Fraser added that if any serious situation arising from the war developed before that time' Parliament would he convened immediately. “I have perused Mr Hamilton s statement and the quotations Irom Lord Strabolgi’s article with interest, said Mr Fraser. “A good deal ot tho article is inapplicable to New Zealand conditions. In reference to the paragraphs in Lord Strabolgis article dealing with the arrangements w.-uen the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and other Ministers have made in regard to entering into consultation with the Lender of the Opposition, I have to point out that similar steps were taken in this country at the outbreak of the war. Messrs Hamilton, Forbes and Coates were invited into consultation with the Government. In addition cables relevant to tho war were placed at their disposal. Such consultations can be renewed at any time, and cables are still available for the Leader of tli<> Opposition and liis two colleagues. “Members of both the Government Party and tlie Opposition Party have had frequent discussions with Ministers in regard "to war matters, and I am personally grateful for the assistance received from all sides of the House,” added Mr Fraser.