SECRET SESSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1941, Page 5

SECRET SESSION

OF BOTH FEDERAL CHAMBERS

TENSION OVER POSITION OF MR MENZIES. QUESTION OF RETURN TO LONDON. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) CANBERRA. August 20. In a lense atinosphere the Prime Minister. .Mr Menzies, uro-ed Hie Douse of Kepresentatives today that he should return to London immediately but declared that, because of Hie balance ol strength in Parliament, it would not be practicable except with the approval of all parties. Immediately he had finished his statement the members of both chambers took part in a joint secret session.

The British High Commissioner. Sir Ronald Cross, the American Charge d'Affaires. Mr Winter, and the ActingHigh Commissioner for Canada. Mr Rodgers, occupied seats on one side of the diplomatic gallery. Members of the Japanese Legation occupied seats on the opposite side. Giving reasons why Cabinet had asked him to pay another visit to London. Mr Menzies said the war had undergone extraordinary and sudden changes, notably the invasion of Russia, the conquest of Syria and the Japanese occupation of Indo-China. Events in Russia and the Middle East, he pointed out, might well affect the whole strategy of the Middle Eastern zone, while the occupation of IndoChina was a matter of paramount importance to Singapore, Australia and the Netherlands East Indies. Both matters taken together raised questions as to the disposition, maintenance and equipment of the Australian overseas armies. Moreover, the meeting between Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt had opened up a new vista of British-American collaboration. This applied not only in the field of military supply but also the economic field generally. In all these matters it was of great importance that Australia’s voice should be directly heard in the place in which the major decisions were customarily made. Mr Menzies added: “It is still true that each nation in the British Commonwealth of Nations has its own immediate risks, it own method of approach and its own viewpoint.” It is understood that his Ministerial colleagues do not intend that the question of Mr Menzies’ mission to London should be treated as a vital Parliamentry issue by which the Governmentwill stand or fall. NO POSSIBILITY OF MR. MENZIES GOING AS PRIME MINISTER. OPINION IN THE LOBBIES. (Received This Day. 10.20 a.m.) CANBERRA. This Day. There is no possibility of Mr R. G. Menzies going to London as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth and whether he will go in any other capacity probably will be decided at tomorrow’s party meeting. These points were made clear during discussions in the lobbies last night by a group of members. The Labour Party takes the view that the High Commissioner, Mr Stanley Bruce, is well able to take care ol Australian affairs, and that if he is not, he should be recalled.