WILL PARLIAMENT ADJOURN ?

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 186, 6 August 1914, Page 6

WILL PARLIAMENT ADJOURN ?

AN UNSETTLED ATMOSPHERE. FOINANiCIIiAL STATEMENT MAY BE DELAYED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday. Parliament has not been in working mood this week. It reflects the attitude of most New Zoalandcrs who have their eyes on the fateful happenings in the Northern Hemisphere rather than the little affairs of every day close at hand. I'olitical contention Ls absolutely gone for the moment. The Government will not bring forward a measure which would excite a real dispute, and it is even suggested that the financial statement duo to-morrow would he singularly out of place, while the balance hangs so falefulry in the Old World. There could be no real criticism of the document, and the (Minister of Finance is said to bo considering a postponement of its delivery. Whether the main estimate could be put off i.s questionable, possibly they will come ou without the statement, which could be delivered when supplementary estimates arc presented. There is a growing opinion that Parliament should deal wioh no contentious matters awaiting decision, and adjourn for a few weeks at least until it is seen whether the campaign in Europe, is going to be swift and decisive or long drawn out. A suggestion hafc been tentatively put forward that three leading Oppositionists might 'he asked to remain in Wellington, and he consulted liv the Government, from time to time in regard to important decisions, thus securing from the Government the compiete co-operation on confidence of the House in every measure taken to administer the country's affairs during the adjournment.