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Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1916, Page 4

BRITISH PARLIAMENT'S WORK. I The last session of the British Farlia- | ment, which was recently 'brought to a close liy a most fitting speech from the Throne, will certainly be regarded as one in which some of the most momentous and exceptional legislation in the history of the Homeland was enacted. It was to all intents and purposes a war session, for every other matter that usually engages the attention of Parliament had to give way to the all-ob-sorbing demands arising out of the war. The members of the National Ministry deserve the deep gratitude as well as the hearty sympathy of the whole Empire. On them and their expert adI visers lias rested the onerous responsiibility for the conduct of the war. The extent of that responsibility can hardly be imagined, but some idea may be formed of its main features by bearing in mind the vast organisations required to equip, train, transport, clothe and feed the millions of men forming the land and sea forces; but, above all, wa» the financing required to meet a daily expenditure now amounting to five millions sterling. It must also be remembered that each of the Allies and all the neutral countries entailed an everincreasing mass of communications, most of which demanded the exercise of consummate foresight, diplomacy and statesmanship. Strikes and other labor troubles connected with the output of munitions and the supply of coal liad to be dealt with and the whole industrial system of the country taken in hand firmly and effectively by means of compulsory legislation. The principle of limited conscription bad to be authorised, though it is hoped its application will not be necessary. Then again, the country had to be protected as much as possible from air raids and the shipping from submarines. The Gallipoli campaign and tho Balkans both proved re : plete with constant worries and difficulties, and last, but by no means least, Ministers were subjected to a flood of hostile criticism, and to the attacks of a section of the press that was not only excessively malicious, but was entirely outside the pale of decency. No doubt blunders have been made, but when we realise what the British-Ministry has accomplished by the help of Parliament and the patriotism of the people, there is every reason to be proud of the steadfast resourceful and far-seeing statesmen who are rfuiding the destinies of the Empire. The people of the United Kingdom have shouldered an enormous burden of taxation directly and indirectly, and three huge Budgets were passed by the House, in addition to a large loan raised in America in order to adjust exchange. Tile record of the session constitutes n new epoch in British history, just as il emphasises the determination of the country to pursue the war until victory is achieved and the peace of the world restored.