POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1918, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

BtT&NESS OF SESSION, ' POSSIBLE CALL OF PREMIER TO LONDON. i'.K!l! ■ :,, ' ;! We]]iVigton, Nov. 4. The debate oh ; tile ''Afidress-in-Reply is not generally expected to Jast into next week, but it seems' 1 clear now that no Government business can be taken this week. The possibility of Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward being; called to a Peace Conference in toe near future is being, discussed in the lobbies. It is known that the 'Prime Minister is likely, to receive a call of tins kind when the end of the war .is reached, and members admit that the cail could not be ,-disre-'' yarded, but, on the other hand, there is a strong feeling in t/lie House that the work of the session ought tc be done properly, and not rushed through in a week or two.

An obvious suggestion is that the ■Prime Minister should go to the Peace Conference and leave the Minister for Finance to act as head of the Government and direct the business of Parliament. The objections to iibis -course seem to be based largely on.party'considerations. The decisions rest largely with the Ministers themselves, and their decision will.. have to be announced' quickly, in the event of a' German capitulation. Much of the work already laid down, for the session is essential. There must be financial legislation and .some acditional war legislation. There must be provision for demobilisation and repatriation. ■ The licensing question cannot be disregarded; the -proposed development of forestry and water power is connected with demobilisation. It is difficult to see how the session could bo finished before Christmas, in any circumstances, if the work is to be done properly.