The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAY 19. 1909. THE CONFERENCE AND THE SESSION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 511, 19 May 1909, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAY 19. 1909. THE CONFERENCE AND THE SESSION.

_It is to Me. Millar's 'statement, in Greymouth that we must: attribute the decision of the Prime Minister "to make a statement of his intentions in regard td tho;Naval Conference and the Parliamentary session. What Mr. Miliar said, it will be remembered, was that "it scorned as if Sin Joseph Ward must go" to the Conference, and that, "presuming, therefore, that the session opened in the last week in June, and that Sir Joseph decided to attend the Conference, it would be necessary for-him to le'aro not later than Juno IS, and ho would not bo able to take his place at the opening 'of too new Parliament." The Prime Minister's own statement is so slippery that we must conclude.that he was less anxious to enlighten the public than to prevent it from concluding from Mr. Millar's remarks that the session can very woll go on as usual whatever happens in respect of the Conference. The one definite declaration by Sir Joseph is his intention to be present during the session. "The first session of a new Parliament having to take place after a general election," ho says,! "I : could not under the circumstances, with a recognition of what is due to tho country, bo absent duiing tho currency

ni, Midi a 5...-.k:<.ii.'.' It is a L...o.u.uusing i.. .. iin.- i.uw.iuuent's local organ, which ■frankly declares its willingness to support the Peimb Mthibtee in any case, is furious with-Mb. Mabhby for making a statement to exactly tho same effect as that we have quoted. But it would bo wrong to deduce from this passage of Sir Joseph's communication to tho press that he so clearly "recognises what is duo to the country" as to bo resolved to stay with us and see the session through as usual. Quite the contrary is the case. He is deeply impressed with tho gravity of the country's requirements, deeply sensible of the paramountcy of the country's affairs over his personal inclinations, but all the same he is quite willing and anxious to assist in having the country's business postponed or otherwise made to fit in with his own convenience. That, and nothing else, is the plain significance of tho following further extract from his statement: '

So, far as I am concerned, it is quite clear that I could not think of being absent from tho first session of a new Parliament immediately after a general election, unless such arrangements are made by Parliament itself, as may bo satisfactory to me." Although he will not have it said, there is no doubt that the Pbihe Minister is most anxious to attend the Conference. This anxiety is so natural and proper that we cannot quite understand why he should wish to enter a disclaimer. We should be the first to express our satisfaction _ if Sie Joseph could be present at the important gathering which has been so swiftly decided upon by the Home Government But whereas ■ the Prime Ministee and his friends are willing that the price of his visit to-London shall bo the postponement of the serious and important domestic questions awaiting the early and careful and unhurried consideration of Parliament, we—and we are sure, the country as a whole also— think otherwise; So far as tie country is concerned, the arrangements required are arrangements that will be satisfactory to the country, and not other arrangements the only virtue of which is that thoy will be satisfactory to the Peimb Ministee, The country has not.yet'accepted the principle that it is his con-' vehience that must be made the first consideration. The course to be followed should be decided by the answer to tho question: What will the country lose by normality in the sessional arrangements 1 To that question there can be only one reply: nothing. It is by departing from normality, either in the direction of a late and hurried session, or an early and session, that the country's . interests .will suffer.' , Sie Joseph Ward has himself said quite enough to show that the work before of the utmost importance. From the tone of some of the Ministerialist press comments, .however it would \ seem' that there are mother : things to be considered than the interests of the country. . Although they do not say so in so many words, they, are apprehensive lest' the noririal. transaction of Parliamentary business, irrespective of Sir Joseph Waed's movements, may be injurious to iheir party plans. .But "what has the Opposition to gain from normality in the sessional arrangements 1 Party issues, however, really should not come into tho .question at all. It must be pla'in that the circumstances of the country' do not warrant delay or a hurried session. If I the 'affairs, of the Dominion are to receive that close and careful consideration'; they require, the session must be a nor'mal one.; ''.■'.■;.''■■