GRAVE CONCERN

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20727, 10 February 1939, Page 6

GRAVE CONCERN

STATE OF COUNTRY SUMMONING PARLIAMENT URGED BY OPPOSITION (By Telegrapn.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday A caucus of Parliamentary memoers of the National Party In Wellington to-day held that the situation In the Dominion was so grave that the Government be asked to call Parliament together In order to discuss the emergency that had arisen and to decide the best means of relieving the position. A full agenda was covered by the caucus embracing discussions on all leading political questions, with particular reference to the financial crisis and attendant problems such as the reduction of trade with England and other countries, the disappearance of London funds and other reserves, and the decision of the Government to with-hold free medical service, hospital benefits, free maternity service and free medicines. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, communicating the caucus’ motion, the

Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, writes: “The decision reached was as follows; “That in view of the state of emergency now existing in the country’s affairs, this caucus of His Majesty’s loyal Opposition requests that the Government immediately call Parliament together to give the people’s elected representatives their traditional right to consider the present financial and economic crisis and of applying lawful remedies thereto, and of considering such other matters of urgent national importance as, for example, the national defence of New Zealand; and that the Government's refusal to disclose to the people during the general election campaign alarming facts which have since been made public constitutes a grave betrayal of public confidence. “In view of the importance and urgency of the present situation, members of the Opposition hold themselves in readiness to assemble in Parliament at short notice so that no time be lost in dealing with these questions before the situation drifts any further. “I trust that you will give favourable consideration to this request and I shall be pleased to receive an early reply.” Reports received by caucus concerning the organisation of the party in various electorates indicated an ever-increasing interest in the present political situation. REQUEST REFUSED SESSION NOT WARRANTED MR SAVAGE DENIES DRIFT (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, has forwarded the following letter to the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in reply to Mr Hamilton's request that Parliament be summoned immediately to deal with matters of national importance : “1 am in receipt of your letter of the ninth instant a copy of which appeared in the morning press before it reached me. 1 think I should say right away that unless special circumstances should warrant it, which is certainly ncrt the case at present, there is no intention of calling Parliament together before the usual time. “The matters referred to In the second paragraph of your letter are being fully covered by the Government’s activities, while the suggestion made in the third paragraph is too indefinite and ridiculous to justify serious attention. “Finally you may accept my assurance that there is no drift but a Dominion-wide attempt to build on modern lines.”