EARLY SESSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 December 1939, Page 8

EARLY SESSION

- - ■» SUGGESTED BY LEADER OF OPPOSITION NEED OF DISCUSSING WAR ORGANISATION. LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A suggestion that a meeting of Parliament is desirable as early as convenient after the return to New Zealand of the Minister of Education, Mr Eraser, so that war organisation may be discussed in the light of Mr Eraser’s discussions and experiences abroad, is contained in a letter sent by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton, to the Prime Minister, Mr Savage. He contends that the issues al stake .justify a sit ling of Parliament. The following is the text of the letter:— "In view of the fact that the Hon P. Fraser will return to the Dominion at an early date, I would suggest that it would be of considerable national advantage to have a session of Parliament at which war organisation could be discussed in the light of Mr Fraser’s discussions and experiences abroad. "I am sure that such a course would be appreciated, not only by the Opposition in the House, which has no access to, the counsels of the Government in its war-effort, but would also be of great interest and value in making the public generally more aware of what is going on and what efforts will be required in the immediate future. “I take it that the main consideration by which you will be faced will be that opportunity would first have to be given for the Cabinet to discuss matters fully with Mr Fraser. However, I would urge that this discussion, and decisions from it, be dealt with as urgent, as the Government has an immediate duty both to the Opposition and the general public. “I feel that that duty would be best served by calling together a session of Parliament as early as convenient after Mr Fraser returns. The importance of the occasion and the issues at stake justify a sitting of Parliament.” When the House rose early in October, Parliament was adjourned till February 8, this course being adopted with the consent of the House in view of the situation arising out of the war. Power was taken to summon Parliament at any time before that date if necessary.

MR FRASER IN SYDNEY ACCOMPANIED BY GENERAL FREYBERG. Ely Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, December 19. The New Zealand Minister of Education, Mr Fraser, and Major-General B. C. Freyburg arrived in Sydney today from London. TALKS IN AUSTRALIA DESIRE FOR THE CLOSEST CO-OPERATION. SYDNEY, December 19. Mr Peter Fraser will attend conferences with members of the Australian War Cabinet in Melbourne this week with an endeavour to co-ordinate the defence activities of Australia and New Zealand. Mr Fraser had a brief discussion with the Prime Minister. Mr Menzies, this afternoon and it was arranged that this discussion should be continued in Melbourne, whither Mr Fraser and Mr Menzies went by tonight's train. Whatever decision is arrived at will necessarily not be publishable, but Mr Menzies indicated before his departure that there was not the slightest doubt that Australia and New Zealand would co-operate closely in the arrangements for the dispatch of troops overseas and also in connection with the Empire air scheme.