PARLIAMENT'S NEXT SESSION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 70, 22 March 1916, Page 4

PARLIAMENT'S NEXT SESSION.

RUMOURS AND PROBABILITIES. NO SECOND SESSION THIS YEAR. THE CLOUD OF COMPULSION. Rumours have been legion of late in political circles respecting the prospects cf an early session of Parliament, and cf its. probable duration, opinion being prevalent in some quarters that owing to the increasing difficulty of getting men for succeeding reinforcements, particularly in the South Island, a brief session will be held towards the end of next month for the purpose of passing a Compulsory Service measure—with the object of stimulating the laggard eligibles to join the colours.

The Prime Minister, when spoken to on the matter yesterday, somewhat discounted the rumour of what may be termed a soeeial conscription session next month, although he intimated clearly, a? he has previously dene, that the 1916 session of Parliament will be earlier in the year than usual. "So as T am able to judtre," said Mr Massev, "Parliament will meet some.what earlier than the usual date, which is about the last, week in June. But, I should like in make it clear that when it does meet it will be the ordinary session cf Parliament, and all the business tW. requires to be done will be dea't with. There is no present intention en the nart of the Government to hold another session later in

the year." This Avaq aU the Premier Avas able to vouchsafe in the way of information, hut it d- : sooses of the suggestion that the next session will be for the °ole nurnor-o of nas'-dng a Compulsory Venice B'Pl. and oerhaps one or tAvo measures of ursrency. are always a number of legislate matters Avhioh have tn be dealt Avith year by in addition to necessary to existing Jaws, while the oneninfr of the throttle for the customary lettiuo- off of steam stored un by members during the recess has also to be considered as a factor in the ostimnticn of a session's duration. Although the- session Avill prcbablv be considerably shorter than in ordinary times, the estimate of a three or -Pour weeks' meeting cf Parliament seems quite beside the likelihood. The Premier Was also questioned about the nrcbable date of his visit to England, with Sir Joseph Ward, th e Minister for Finance, but as this is a matter of Imperial concern, Mr. M'issey is not in a position at present to make any statement on the subject beyond .saying that he and his "colleague would go when the time arrived.