TO-DAY'S MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 527, 7 June 1909, Page 4

TO-DAY'S MEETING.

There appears to bo Borne doubt as to whether the informal meeting of members of Parliament, convened by the Pbimb Minister for this afternoon, will bo open to the press. It is not very clear as to the particular form the proceedings will take, but the general understanding is that Sie Joseph Waed will, place before members'the correspondence that has passed betweon himself and the Imperial Government in connection with tho proposed Naval Conference and the representation of Now Zealand thereat. Also, it is to be expectod that Sin Joseph will advance such reasons as may occur to him, ,in favour of postponing the business of Parliament, which ho has mado a condition of his presence at the Conference. It seems a little strange that there should be any doubt as to the admittance of the press to tho meeting. The public surely are entitled to know the influences at work.'. There can be no I possible reason for further secrecy and mystery. In case Sin Joseph Waed should overlook tho matter, it might be as well to suggest to him that the correspondence would hardly bo complete without the full details of the Government's communications to the Home authorities being presented. ,No binding decision can bo arrived at to-day; indeed, membors may object to any vote being taken at all at an informal mooting of this kind. No voto should bo taken without the opportunity being given for full and froe discussion. In the- circumstances, Sib Joseph Ward might arrange to havo the full correspondence printed ' and placed in the hands of members at once, so that they may have time to carefully peruse and woigh it before being called on to vote in their places in the House later in the, week.