A.—s

2

Hon. A. R. Guinness (Grey), Mr. D. H. Guthrie (Oroua), Mr. C. Hall (Waipawa), Mr. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill), Mr. C. A. C. Hardy (Selwyn), Mr. A. L. Herdman (Wellington North), Mr. J. B. Hine (Stratford), Mr. J. T. Hogan (Wanganui), Hon. A. W. Hogg (Minister of Labour), Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui), Mr. F. W. Lang (Manukau), Mr. G. Laurenson (Lyttelton), Mr. F. Lawry (Parnell), Mr. J. P. Luke (Wellington Suburbs), Mr. W. D. S. Macdonald (Bay of Plenty), "Hon. R, McKenzie (Minister of Public Works), Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister of Agriculture), Mr. D. McLaren (Wellington East), Mr. A. S. Malcolm (Clutha), Mr. F. Mander (Marsden), Mr. W. F. Massey (Franklin), Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister of Railways), Hon. A. T. Ngata (Minister representing Native race), Mr. E. Newman (Manawatu), Mr. W. Nosworthy (Ashburton), Mr. H. J. H. Okey (Taranaki), Mr. T. Parata (Southern Maori), Mr. G. V. Pearce (Patea), Mr. L. R. Phillipps (Waitemata), Mr., H. Poland (Ohinemuri), Mr. C. H. Poole (Auckland West), Mr. V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands), Mr. A. E. Remington (Rangitikei), Mr. R. H. Rhodes (Ellesmere), Mr. R. B. Ross (Pahiatua), Mr. G. W. Russell (Avon), Mr. R. Scott (Tuapeka), Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland), Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), Mr. J. Stallworthy (Kaipara), Mr. E. H. Taylor (Thames), Mr. T. E. Taylor (Christehurch North), Dr. Te Rangihiroa (Northern Maori), Mr. G. M. Thomson (Dunedin North), Mr. J. C. Thomson (Wallace), Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G., P.C. (Prime Minister), Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt), Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton), Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington South). The members assembled in the chamber of the House of Representatives at three o'clock p.m. The members of the Legislative Council were also present, but took no part in the proceedings. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. WARD (Prime Minister). —Gentlemen, I propose before proceeding to intimate to the House what course I think would be convenient to honourable members to pursue under very difficult and unique circumstances; and in doing so I want to ask the co-operation of members of the House, with a view, if possible, to giving effect to what the law of the country, so far as the convening of Parliament before a prorogation, has upon this occasion prevented being done. I invited the members of both branches of the Legislature to meet in Wellington to enable the position to be placed before them for their consideration, and they will see before I have concluded that it is the only way in which it was possible for this to have been done. I want to thank the members of both branches of the Legislature for tEeir kindness in coming on my invitation ; and I desire to say that, while I am sure the members of the Lower House who are assembled will be glad of the opportunity for members of the Legislative Council to hear the discussion, I hope that those gentlemen belonging to the other Chamber who have also so kindly responded to the invitation to be present will, after the conclusion of the proceedings, consider the matter in their own chamber. This I hope because I feel the responsibility upon me, in the absence of a meeting of Parliament in the ordinary way, is such that one ought to have an expression of opinion from both branches of the Legislature. It is convenient for the members of both Houses to be here as they are, as I desire to make a statement in the presence of the occupants of both chambers. I am not going to ask that a chairman should be appointed for the conduct of the proceedings. I say this advisedly, for the reason that members have responded to an invitation sent to them by me to meet me here, and I propose for that reason to preside over the assembly and to put any resolu tion that any honourable gentleman during the course of the proceedings desires should be put Members will recognise that they are here quite voluntarily, and in the only way that I could possibly ask them to meet me —namely, by invitation—and for that reason it seems to me, after carefully thinking the matter over, that the course I am suggesting, of presiding myself, is one that will commend itself to members generally. It is, I am certain, the most convenient one for the purpose. Now, having thanked the members of the Legislature for their attendance, I desire t<- explain the reason for the unusual course that is being followed. The law in New Zealand, unlike the British law, does not admit of Parliament being called together in an emergency of any kind antecedent to the date of prorogation, and the prorogation was fixed for the 10th June. Circumstances arose that required the Government to ascertain, if possible, the feelings and views of honourable members before that date, but under the laws of the country it was impossible to convene Parliament earlier. I may say I think that the law affecting this requires to be amended. I therefore convened the present meeting in a way which, though unusual, has been followed in other British countries. If, have said, it had been possible under our law to call Parliament together earlier it would have been done. I also desire to say that I have all along felt that these proceedings should not only be published in the but that a record should also be taken of them by the Hansard staff, so that later on, after Parliament has assembled, the presentation of the report of the proceedings may be made to Parliament in the shape of a parliamentary paper for record purposes and for the future use of members. This course will, I am sure, commend itself to the members who are present. I also want, as a matter of courtesy to the leader of the Opposition, whom I am very pleased to see here, to say that upon an occasion of this kind a difficulty presented itself so far as the ordinary etiquette between leaders is concerned. I wish to refer for & moment to this. I notice the honourable gentleman has referred to the fact that he had received no intimation or communication from me. I desire to say I am anxious to the fullest extent to in every way recognise the responsible position occupied by the leader of the Opposition in this country, and my wish is to extend to him the courtesy due to him in his position as leader of his party. A pronouncement was, however, definitely made by him on an important matter of an affirmative character, or rather of a negative character, to the effect that he was opposed to the prorogation of Parliament, and, if Parliament sat, my place was in the House. With the latter portion of his statement I agree; but what he publicly said placed it beyond me to discuss the matter with him except on the assumption that I was soliciting the honourable gentleman to change his views. That, of course, I am not prepared to do. He has himself made a difficulty in this respect which necessitates my referring to it as lam now doing.. In connection with the procedure to-day, had it