1936-12-09 14 1 5 REPS 2883 0 House of Representatives. 1936-12-09 The House of Representatives, on the 4th December, adjourned until a day and hour to be fixed by Mr. Speaker, and notified by him to each honorable member. The House met pursuant to such notification. Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. G. J. Bell) took the chair at 10.30 a.m., and read prayers. 2883 bill Assent to the following bills reported : - Customs Tariff (No. 2) 1036. Customs Tariff (Exchange Adjustment) Bill (No. 2) 1936. Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) (No. 1930. States Grants (Unemployment Relief) Bill 1936. Commonwealth Public Service Bill 1930. Financial Relief Bill (No. 3) 1930. Bills of Exchange Bill 1936. Trade Harks Bill 1936. Customs Tariff (No. 3) 1936. Customs Tariff (Exchange Adjustment) Bill (No. 3) 1936. Sales Tax Amendment Bill 1936. Trade Agreement (France) Bill 1936. Customs Tariff (No. 4) 1936. Customs Tariff (Exchange Adjustment) Bill (No. 4) 1936. Customs Tariff (Industries Preservation) Bill 1936. Papua and New Guinea Bounties Bill 1930. Customs Tariff (Papua and New Guinea Preference) 1936. Customs Bill 1936. Coinage Bill 193G. Commonwealth Bail ways Bill 1936. Income Tax Assessment Bill (No. 2) 1936. Petroleum Oil Search Bill (No. 2) 1936. Colonial Light Dues Collection Bill 1936. Colonial Light Dues (Rates) Bill 1936. Commonwealth Public Works Committee Bill 1936. Air Navigation Bill 1936. Wine Overseas Marketing Bill 1936. 2884 Questions 2884 QUESTION OF THE KING'S MARRIAGE 2884 F4O UAP 1 0 LYONS, Joseph Aloysius Mr LYONS . - It is not the intention of the Government to submit any business to the Parliament to-day, or to reply to questions without notice. I ask leave to make a brief statement of the reason for the recall of honorable members. Leave granted. 2884 F4O 0 0 LYONS, Joseph Aloysius Mr LYONS - Shortly after the Parliament rose last week, the possibilities of a serious constitutional problem relating to the suggested marriage of His Majesty the King became apparent. The position is still uncertain, though we all profoundly hope that a crisis may be averted. In. the circumstances, it seemed wise to the Government to recall honorable members, as we would desire to be in a position to consult the Parliament without delay in relation to any course of action which proved to be necessary. As the matter stands, and pending His Gracious Majesty's decision, parliamentary discussions could do nothing but harm. All that I need say as to the particular issues involved is, that the Commonwealth Government concurs in the decision of the Government of the United Kingdom not to legislate for something In the nature of a morganatic marriage. In a state of affairs so delicate, so fraught with possibilities of good or ill for the future of all of us, a respectful and sympathetic silence in Parliament is the best contribution we can offer to a happy solution. May' God strengthen His Majesty, and guide his decision aright. 2884 adjournment Motion (by Mr. Lyons) proposed - That the House do now adjourn. 2884 009FQ Fremantle 0 0 CURTIN, John Mr CURTIN .- The Parliament has been called together to-day so that the Government might consult with' it on a matter of supreme moment to Australia and to the other dominions comprising the British Commonwealth of Nations, as well as to the United Kingdom itself. That consultation, I think, should commence with a full, complete, and unfettered intimation to the Parliament of the whole extent -of the communications that have passed between- the Prime Minister and the Government of the United Kingdom. Opposition Members. - Hear, hear .' 2884 009FQ 0 0 CURTIN, John Mr CURTIN - All the facts, so far as it is possible for the Parliament to have them given to it at present, should now be made available. The Opposition holds strong views upon this very difficult and, as the Prime Minister has said, delicate matter. To begin with, it says that there must be no coercion, by Ministers of this dominion, or - of any other dominion, of the King, in the choosing, of his wife. Opposition Members. - Hear, hear ! 2884 009FQ 0 0 CURTIN, John Mr CURTIN - The King, on the other hand, must not ask Parliament for any special legislation to suit his convenience in the choosing of a wife. He must choose his wife from among those ladies who may lawfully be married to him as the law stands at present. In. respect of any matter involving legislation, the King must accept the advice of his Ministers of State. Furthermore, we would object to the King or to the Parliaments, in the King's choice of a wife, arranging to confer upon that lady a lesser status than that of Queen. Opposition Members. - Hear, hear ! 2885 009FQ 0 0 CURTIN, John Mr CURTIN - The King must not be permitted to alter in any way the status of the lady whom he would choose to be his wife; because he is the King, his wife should and must be the Queen. Furthermore, the King must be fully prepared to accept all the natural and logical consequences of his marriage. If there be children of that marriage, then they must come in the first line of succession to the British throne. The Opposition will leave the King unfettered in the choice of his wife. It will not agree that his selection in that matter should be impaired by any influence of any sort. But the King must accept full responsibility to his conscience and to the Empire for the choice that he makes. We shall not interfere with him, but we shall not convenience him, in the choosing of his wife. This Australian Labour party hopes that the present King will remain upon the throne of England. Opposition Members. - Hear, hear ! 2885 009FQ 0 0 CURTIN, John Mr CURTIN - It desires to remain, as it willremain, loyal to King Edward VIII. 2885 F4O Wilmot UAP Prime Minister 1 0 LYONS, Joseph Aloysius Mr LYONS . - Mr. Speaker- Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. G. J. Bell).The right honorable gentleman will close the debate. 2885 F4O 0 0 LYONS, Joseph Aloysius Mr LYONS - I had hoped to do so. 2885 JOM West Sydney 0 0 BEASLEY, John Mr BEASLEY . - There is one point that I want to make on this motion for the adjournment of the House. Motion (by Sir Archdaleparkhill) proposed - That the question be now put. 2885 JOM 0 0 BEASLEY, John Mr Beasley - This is a fine way to induce us to remain silent. 2885 10000 0 0 SPEAKER, Mr Mr SPEAKER - Order ! The honorable member for West Sydney is out of order in interjecting when I am on my feet and about to put a question to the House. 2885 JOM 0 0 BEASLEY, John Mr Beasley - We have been brought here- 2885 10000 0 0 SPEAKER, Mr Mr SPEAKER - Order ! I ask honorable members to be silent. 2885 KX7 0 0 WARD, Edward Mr Ward - Matters have not progressed as the Prime Minister expected. 2885 10000 0 0 SPEAKER, Mr Mr SPEAKER - The honorable member for East Sydney must preservesilence. 2885 KJQ 0 0 JAMES, Rowland Mr James - You gagged me on another occasion, Mr. Speaker, and would not allow me to mention the King's name. Honorable members interjecting, 2885 10000 0 0 SPEAKER, Mr Mr SPEAKER - Order! I ask honorable members to observe the respect that is due to the Chair, and to maintain order when a question is being put. 2885 JOM 0 0 BEASLEY, John Mr Beasley - The Government is not showing us any respect. I would not have given leave for any statement to be made had I known that it was to be under these conditions. I shall not again give leave. 2885 10000 0 0 SPEAKER, Mr Mr SPEAKER - Order ! Question put - That the question be now put. The House divided. (Mr. Speaker - Hon. G. J. Bell.) . 40 23 Majority .. ..17 AYES NOES Question so resolved in the affirmative. Original question put. The House divided. (Mr. Speaker - How.G.J. Bell.) 42 21 Majority . . 21 AYES NOES Question so resolved in the affirmative. 2886 10:50:00 House adjourned at 10.50 a.m.