PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2831, 24 July 1916, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

BUSINESS TO COME DAYLIGHT SAVING AGAIN LIFE OF PARLIAMENT

All hope of Parliament rising at (he end of this week appears (o have been abandoned. Probably tlie business will bo all done by the end of next week. But for the illness which has overtaken several of (lie Ministers in turn, Parliament would almo.-t certainly have risen at tlie Cud of this week. Four Ministers 'nave now had ■ influenza—Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Allen, Dr. Pomare, and Mr. Massev, in that order. Mr. Russell was also unwell for a few days, and now Sir Joseph Ward is indisposed again. "With so many Ministers unable to lemain on duty progress has necessarily been slow. Two Bills are yet before the House, the War Regulations Bill and the War Legislation Amendment Bill, and as soon as the House meets tlie Legislative. Council Amendment Bill will be rooeived from tho Council. The War Regulations Bill involves the early closing issue, anil on this 'tho figlit ban to come in the Committee stage. There is a possibility, Tiot a very good possibility, that there may bo a compromise 011 this question, but the opinion is confidently expressed that six o'clock closing will bo defeated by a majority of four, or possibly six, votes. The 'War Legislation Amendment Bill would have presented few difficulties in the-ordinary cour.se of thingg, but Mr. Sidey has given notice' to .move a new clausc containing his daylight saving scheme. This clause will be fought hard. Olio of the difficulties about these conglomerate Bills is that any member can move almost any clause which does not involve an. appropriation. The Legislative Council Amendment Bill should not occupy the House for more than a few hours. . Reference was made by Sir William Hall-Jones in the Council the other day to the possibility of the life of the present Parliament being extended, and incidentally he expressed his strong objection to any such • proposal. It has always been understood, however, that there would not be another general election in New Zealand during the war, and the National Government will take such steps as may be needed to provide against it. It would bo impossible to hold an election that would give the people a real opportunity of cjicosing their political leaders. It is assumed that some day, after the war is over, thero will be a severance of parties again, and in 'view of this it would be absurd for the National Government to go to the country and aslc for a renewal of confidence for three years. It has not vet been decided by Cabinet, whether the 'legislation to prolong the life of. the present House, in the event of the war continuing far into 1917, shall bB introduced this session 011 not. The next general election should take place at the end of 1917, and if tho war ends before that date no postponement will be necessary.