NATIONAL POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1939, Page 4

NATIONAL POLICY

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS FOR A WEEK

GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW SITUATION.

OPPOSITION CO-OPERATING.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, This Day

A decision to adjourn for a week, after completing consideration of the remainder of the main Estimates that day. was reached in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. The suggestion was made by the ActingPrime Minister, Mr Fraser, and was endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton. During the period of the adjournment. the Government would have an opportunity of reviewing the whole situation arising from the war, and the economic and financial position of the country, Mr Fraser said. The Government would also have a chance to reconsider the whole question of legislation which it was proposed to pass during the session. “It is eminently desirable, because at present, as far as it is possible, we want to speak with one voice,” Mr Fraser said. He added that the House \yas already speaking with one voice as far as the major event was concerned, but it was desired to postpone matters on which there was obvious political disagreement, and which were not urgent.

“The Government will be in a position in a week’s time to report on these matters to the House,” Mr Fraser added. He expressed his appreciation of the manner in ivhich the Opposition had met the Government in the present hour of crisis. “We are quite agreeable to do anything that will facilitate the matters with ivhich the Government has been concerned,” said Mr Hamilton. “We realise to the full the decision the Government has had to make, and the great responsibility it has been carrying, and we realise that it is a fair thing for it to have a breathing space to consider the course with .regard to the future.”

Before adjourning yesterday, the House approved all the remaining classes of the main Estimates of departmental expenditure for the current financial year.

Rapid progress was made and the .27 classes requiring consideration were passed without difficulty. The total amount involved was £24,836,525. Several of the items, which in normal circumstances would have given rise to a protracted discussion, were passed without comment.

The House rose at 10.23 p.m. till Tuesday next.