SECRET SESSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 160, 6 June 1940, Page 6

SECRET SESSION.

PROLONGED SITTING. CONTINUED; TO-DAY. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 5. One of the briefest public sessions of the’ House of Representatives on record occurred to-day. The House met as usu’al at 2.30 for tlie transaction of public business, and by 2.30 was in secret session with all doors to the Chamber locked and guarded. This was the famous secret session which followed the precedent set by the British House of Commons to discuss New Zealand’s war effort. When the House assembled at 2.30 there was almost a full attendance of members, but tlie galleries were noticeably empty, only four ladies being present in the ladies’ gallery, and there was no one at all in the public gallery or the Speaker’s gallery. Four minutes were sufficient for tlie. >transaction of the formal business of the House. Then tlie Prime Minister drew the attention of the Speaker to tlie fact that strangers were present in tlie , galleries.. .. : ' , Looking with a smile in tlie direction of the Press gallery, the Speaker. (Hon. W. E. Barnard) asked if it was the pleasure of the-House that the strangers-be ordered to withdraw. This met with the assent of 'the House and Mr Fraser thereupon moved that the remainder , of the day be devoted to the secret session.. This was carried without a division "and the galleries were .cleared by 2.35. After continuing the session .all* the t afternoon and evening the House; adjourned at 12.5 a.hi. /and tlie secret session will be continued, at 2.30 tomorrow afternoon.