The Dominion THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1915. THE COMING SESSION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2496, 24 June 1915, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1915. THE COMING SESSION

It has been promised that the session of Parliament which will he opened to-day will be a short one. one can doubt that this decision will be in entire accord with public sentiment. But for the fact that it is necessary to pass certain legislation to make financial provision for tho needs of tho country and for the conduct of the Dominion's, share in the war, there are many reasons which might be advanced in favour of holding no session at all this year. That course, however, is not possible, and we must rest content with the next best thing, which is a short session free from party bickerings, unedifying enough at ordinary times, and quite _ out of place in these days of national peril. It is difficult for men of extreme party views when they take their places on the floor of the House of Representatives to repress their desire to score _ a party advantage, but even tho bitterest partisan must recognise that there never was a time when the obligations resting on members to place the interests of their country before all other considerations were more imperative. We are aware in writing this that there are people of all parties who consider that the best interests of the country can only be served by returning their own particular party to office. Such an attitude may be tolerated in ordinary times, but will be received with little patience now. Nor can we believe that party ends will be served at the present time by party warfare, however skilfully conducted. The people are too deeply concerned with the greater issues at stake to trouble themselves over the relative merits of the Ins and the Outs as discoursed upon by the interested parties, and will look to Parliament to work harmoniously and unitedly as a National Assembly prompted by high, unselfish, and patriotic motives. It is the duty of the Government to avoid all controversial legislation of a party nature. It is the duty of the Opposition to sink all factious opposition, and to assist Ministers in every possible way with such legislation as may be necessary to enable the country to meet its financial obligations and to prosecute with proper vigour its share in the war. _It has been suggested by an Opposition journal that the Government should confer with .the leaders of the Opposition on the subject of the war taxation which it will be necessary to provide for during the coming session. The idea is a good one, and if .given effect to might result in a better understanding between the Party Leaders and minimise the risk of discord and bickering. No member of any of the three parties in the present Parliament can bettor serve the interests of the party to which he belongs than by proving by his actions during the next few weeks that he places the interests of the country before all else.