PARLIAMENTS NEXT SESSION

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 69, 21 March 1916, Page 4

PARLIAMENTS NEXT SESSION

rumours aki>."^Biaiiia^-V NO SECOND SESSION TmiYEil: THE CLOUD OF_ COMPULSION Rumours have been, legion -of late !« political circles respecting tne prosoeiti ' of an early session of Parliament inTr its probable duration, opinion ban* ore! valent in some quarters that owuiffi the increasing difficulty,of getti|Smc« for succeeding reihforceniinii;7Mr&; larly in the South Island, a brief .Hsiui will be held towards the end of heft month for the purpose of passing »; (£g; . pulsory Service measure—wjtK tfie 6fc ject of stimulating the laggard elujißiel to join the colours. -. ,■ ■ The Prime Minister, when spoke|.:ti I-ot -' I the matter this morning, somewhat di counted the rumour of what.may be ' termed a special conscription session ncs{ month, although he intimated clearly ■■•> '-'' he has previously done,.that the pjijj : session of Parliament will be earlier in the year than usual. ... .• - t :'' H "So as lam able to judge,"aiid jjj.\ Massey, "Parliament will meet «o'mc-' ,: what earlier than the usual date'; '. is about the last week in June.. Bii* I - should like to make it clear, that wiiev' .it does meet it will be the ordinary session of Parliament, and all tbi bull ncs3 that requires to be done,'wOL!*.' l "-■ dealt with. There is no present..infest;' tion on the part of the Government. ti> • hold another session later in the year. This was all the Premier was able tV vouchsafe in the way of information; but - it disposes of the suggestion' that ti> : next session will be for the sole purposf of passing a Compulsory .Service. KD ; and perhaps one or two war measures of urgency. There are always a number of legislative matters which have to U dealt with year by year, in addition ta"'. necessary amendments to Misting.'iiis' while the opening of the throttle fof-tS* : customary letting off. ,of,,steami- stored-. up by-members during the. recesi.ihH also to be considered as a factor in ti«, '■'. estimation of a session's duratioc. Although the session will probably./:* considerably shorter than in..orduiarr times, the estimate of a three- or.-four weeks' meeting of Parliament secmi quite beside the likelihood. ~,,■;.>.; The Premier was also questioned about the probable date of his visit to Enjganj" with Sir Joseph Ward, the Minister tot Finance, but as this is a matter of la-: perial concern. Mr. Massey .is. not hi i position at present to. make.any, stata-v ment on the subject beyond.saying tbit he and his colleague would go ! when lis time arrived.