The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 20. THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.
There appears to be some misconception throughout the country regarding the forthcoming assembling of Parliament. The position is that Parliament has been summoned for June 10, nearly three weeks before the Usual time, the earllness of the date being, of course, one to the necessity of settling the question of tile representation of the Dominion at the Imperial Defence Conference. Although the 10th prox. has been fixed for tiie formal opening, the Prime Minister has invited the members of both Houses to meet " informally " three days earlier, when he will state the reasons which have dictated what is admittedly an unusual procedure. Apparently, however, there was no other way of
overcoming the question of deciding whether or not the I'reinier should represent the Dominion, and lie able to leave in time to be present at'the Con-, ferencc. The earliest date on which Parliament could be summoned was June 10th, there being no legal provision for an anticipation of tiiat date after it had been fixed by proclamation. The proceedings of this " informal '■ gathering will not be of a strictly Parliamentary character; they will not be reported in Hansard, rather they will be of the nature of a " caucus"—the caucus on this occasion comprising both (or all) political parties. The question of representation at the Conference will be threshed out. It will, no nouot, be proposed informally by the Government that it is thought advisable that the Premier should proceed to London in accordance with the stated desire of tic. Imperial Government, as well as the obvious wish of the bulk of the people of the country. Suitable, arrangements will, no doubt, be proposed with a view of providing for the discharge of public business, lit the unlikely event oi the informal decision being adverse to the Premier's departure, on his own terms as regards the postponement of Parliamentary business after the voting of Supplies, the session will doubtless proceed in the ordinary way as from June 10. On the other hand, if the informal Parliament approves ue Government plan, the Prime Minister will be free to leave the Dominion at once, while the actual Parliament, will be bound in honor to ratify the decision or the caucus, and will prorogue 'inti! September after transacting such business as is imperative. It is a question on which the country would, prefer to see unanimity prevail. Although Mr. Masseyand two' or three of his followers have, informally deprecated the postponement of the sessional programme, it is known that some inlluenlial members of tli.s party are indisposed to put difficulties in Sir Joseph's way, having regard to the important Imperial issues at stake; and it is by no means unlikely that the Leader of the Opposition will make a graceful concession to the exigencies of the situation. While, however, it would show a more thorough appreciation of the importance of the Conference were Parliament to express its unanimous ■wish that New Zealand should be represented by its foremost statesman, 't does not follow that opposition to the proposal will lead to its defeat. That a certain amount of inconvenience will result from the course proposed may be taken for granted, but the Dominion ,will be none the worse for a further respite of three mouths from legislation, and any small sacrifices should be cheerfully borne for the sake of Imperial and National Patriotism.
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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 104, 29 May 1909, Page 2
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569The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 20. THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 104, 29 May 1909, Page 2
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