PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 462, 10 June 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AGREES TO ADJOURNMENT.

Wellington, June 8,

The Prime Minister met the members of the Legislative Council in the Council Chamber at 3 o’clock to-day to bring before them informally the question of representation *,by the Government at the Imperial Conference. Sir Joseph thanked the hon. members for their courtesy in attending, and pointed out that it would be advantageous to have the goodwill of the Upper as of the Lower House, in representing the Dominion. They were aware of the circumstances which had necessitated the informal meeting of the members of Parliament, so he would not trouble the hon. members by capitulating them. The Premier then retired.

The Hon. T. Kelly, in a very brief speech, urged the necessity of the Premier going to the Conference and also of the prorogation meanwhile, and then moved a resolution identical with the one passed by the members of the House early this morning. The Hon. Mr Paul, while agreeing to the necessity of the Premier attending the Conference, thought that the position of affairs in the Dominion demanded business proceeding. He briefly alluded to the unemployment question, and hoped the Government would do something in the matter. In the matter of defence, there should be an equitable distribution of the burden. Giving Dreadnought's did not appeal to him, as it was relieving the rich of their rightful burden.

The Hon. Mr Sinclair said the Conference was one of the most important ever held in the Empire. It would be mainly a secret otje, and it was essential that the Prime Minister should be present. Far too much had been made of the adjournment. It was absurd to say that there could be any loss by adjourning till October, but if there was a certain loss he would still say the Prime Minister should go Home to represent the Dominion at this great Conference. The motion was then carried without dissent.