THE SESSION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16361, 5 November 1918, Page 6

THE SESSION.

THE WORK AHEAD. (SPECIAL TO "THE Pfcssi.") 'W ELLINGTON, November 4. ' ien the House of Representatives moots to-morrow, the Prime Minister will have something to say with refer, enco to tho Austrian surrender, and it is 1 probable that the House will then adjourn until Wednesday in commemoration of tho occasion. The debute ou the Address-in-Realr ia not generally expected to ja&t monoxt veeu, but it seems clear now that no Govern men t business can bo taken thia week. 1 he possibility of Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward being called to a Peace Conierence in tho near future is being discussed in tho lobbies, it is known that the Prime Minister is likely ■ to receive a call of this kind when the i ond of the war is reached, and members ■ admit that the call could not be disre- ■ garded, but on tlio other hand there > is a strong feeling in tho House that j the work of the session ought to bo > done properly, and not rushed through j in a week or two. s An obvious suggestion is that the > Prime Minister snould go to the Peace • Conference, and leave the Minister of > i' niaiK'o to act as head of the Government, and direct tho business of Par- » liament. The objections to this course s seem to be based largely on party con-'. i siderations. Tho decision rests largely j with the Ministers themselves, and [, their decision will have to be announc- : ed quickly, in the event of a German I capitulation. Much of tho work already laid dovnk i for .tho sessibn is essential. Thew i must be financial legislation, and somA 5 additional war legislation; there must [ bo provision for demobilisation and rer patriation; the licensing question cin- > hot bo discarded. The proposed deves lopment of forestry ana water power is connected with demobilisation. It . is difficult to soo how the session ooOld , bg finished before Christinas in any | circumstances, if the work is to be donb , properly.