The Advocate. [Established 1888.] WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1909. PARLIAMENT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 288, 9 June 1909, Page 4

The Advocate. [Established 1888.]

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1909. PARLIAMENT.

[PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIROUUmON IN THE DISTRICT. CIRCULATES IN Dannevirke . Mangatoro Tamaki Ngapaeruru Mangahe Weber Ti Tree Point Waione Wimbledon Herbertville Akitio Horoeka Oringi . Kiritaki - Maharahara WoodviUe - , Umutaoroa Matamau Piripiri ' Makotukn Ormondville Norsewood Takapau - Whetukura Awariki Otanga Kumeroa Rangitane Raumati' ; Rua Roa S. Norsewood Tiratu Tipapakuku Mangapuaka Mangatuna Makaretu

• •• It was a foregone conclusion that the informal meeting of members of Parliament held on Monday last would approve of tho proposals of the Gov-^ eminent in regard to tho representation of New Zealand at the Naval Conference, , and that to enable Sir Joseph Ward to attend the Conferonce the members would agree to the adjournment of tho House until September. From the time it was announced that the presence of the Premier was desired at the Conference, it was perfectly plain that if Sir Joseph had to leave the dominion an adjournment of Parliament would bo inevitable. ' Instead ■of yielding gracefully, the Opposition have strenuously endleavoured to make it appear that Sir Joseph Ward's presence was not necessary to lead' tho House, and that he could hand over the reins to one of his Ministers. This view, naturally, did not commend rf»elf to the Premier, and any reasonable man must admit that tho arguments in favor of this decision, which have been stated before, and need not be recapitulated, are unanswerable. Of course Mr Massey ,and his supporters will not subscribe t<> this, but , that is only to be expected. Tho Opposition willingly gave their support .to the proposal that the Premier should take part in tho Naval Conference, but insisted that the work of Parliament should go on. The majority of the members have opposed such a course, and the House will accordingly be adjourned until tho Premier's return. It now remains to bo scon whether Mr Massoy and his followers will assist the Premior's departure, or whether tjioy will, by stonewalling and general obstruction, so dolay tho business as to prevent Sir J'osoph leaving in time for the Conference. The people of tho dominion, wo fool sure, will support the Government in their attide on this question. It is unfortunate that tlio ordinary work of Parliament should ha.ye to bo postponed, but wo cannot sw that in view of the special circumstances surrounding the case, any othor course was open.