COMING SESSION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 36, 12 February 1943, Page 2

COMING SESSION

PARLIAMENT'S WORK

IMPROVED WAR SITUATION

(0.C.) , WELLINGTON, this clay. ; The session of Parliament, which will commence on February 24, is not expected to handle more than a nominal legislative programme. The only bill of interest likely to appear is one relating to market gardening. As with many previous sessions, 'questions of the greatest interest will be discussed privately for, in addition' to the inevitable secret session, when the Prime Minister is expected to give a review of the war, particularly in relation to the Pacific position, the Government party will hold an important, caucus. Mr. Langstone's resignation from the position of\ High Commissioner involves the appointment of a new Minister, and caucus will select by ballot one of its members, who will be recommended to the Prime Minister for the ministerial position. There has been a longer interval than usual between the sessions because the Pacific position is sufficiently satisfactory to suggest no serious threat to New Zealand, and the following session, for a similar reason, is not expected to commence till May. The coming session will open with the speech of the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, and will be followed by the Address-in-Reply debate,- which will give the fullest scope:: for discussion. The general election issue has to be settled this year,- though it is not expected to be decided this month. The recent by-election is expected greatly to stimulate the Address in Reply debate, and therefore the session is expected-to last for three weeks.