The Dominion SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1915. PARLIAMENT AND THE WAR.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2498, 26 June 1915, Page 4

The Dominion SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1915. PARLIAMENT AND THE WAR.

The Spcech which His Excellency the Governor (Load Liverpool) read in tho Legislative Council yesterday afternoon contains no surprises and nothing of a sensational character. Its contents arc just what might have been expected on an occasion like the present, when the British Empire, is passing through the greatest ordeal that it has ever been its lot to face. The war overshadows all other matters, and practically the whole of the Speech is devoted to this all-absorb-ing topic. This is as it should be. The Specch is a clear call to Parliament to put tho interests of tho Empire before all else, and to concentrate its attention on the legislative and financial measures necessary to enable New Zealand to do all that it can do to bring the war to a triumphant conclusion as soon as possible. Domestic legislative programmes must be postponed, and the strife of partisan tongues must cease until the Empire's enemies have been defeated. The petty scheming of party warfare, and attempts to make party capital out of the nation's peril, would be absolutely intolerable at the present juncture. The country lias set a splendid example of unity of purpose, and jt would ill become the representatives of the people in Parliament to sti* kc a note of discord. The Governor's Speech certainly gives no excuse for political wrangling. for, with the exception of a brief reference to local Bills, it makes 110 mention of any legislative proposals, contentious or otherwise, apart from the war measures. Members _ of all shades of political opinion will have an excellent opportunity of showing their appreciation of the obligation resting on them bv wliole-bearted co-operation on national lines, and the rcsoluto avoidance and discouragement of provocative tactics. The House made ,a good beginning yesterday afternoon, showing a disposition to approach the business of the session in a broad-minded and patriotic spirit. An Imprest Supply Bill is usually regarded by the Opposition as a favourable chance for airing all sorts of real or imaginary grievances, and for assaults on the administration of the party in power, but the Bill introduced yesterday was agreed to practically without discussion. One of the principal measures of the session will be that providing a scale of pensions for the families of the men who have been killed during the war, and for soldiers who have been disabled. The Governor expresses the hope that this matter will receive ''generous consideration." This is a matter that must not be dealt with in any grudging or niggardly spirit. The country expects that the services of the brave men who may be killed or wounded in fighting its battles shall receive adequate recognition. No pauper dole will suffice. Special taxation and other questions arising out of the war will have to bo disposed of, but there is no need for a long session. The sooner it is over the sooner Ministers will be in a position to devote their undivided attention to the onerous duties and heavy responsibilities which the war has thrown upon them.