The Press WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1934. The Session

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21285, 3 October 1934, Page 10

The Press WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1934. The Session

A message from Wellington printed this morning makes it clear enough that the Government, instead of attempting to finish the business of the session before Christmas, will adjourn Parliament until February. The original intention was to close the session at the end of this month; but it has been apparent for weeks past that this was outside the bounds of possibility. In the circumstances the alternatives before the Government were either to keep Parliament sitting until within a few days of Christmas or to adjourn until early in the new year. On the balance there is perhaps more to be said for the second course. The report of the Dairy Commission, together with the legislation arising out of it, will require very careful consideration, and it seems only fair that all important interests and organisations affected should be given adequate time to make representations to the Government. Moreover, an adjournment till February might enable the Government to give effect to its scheme for a National Mortgage Corporation this session instead of, as is the present intention, next session. It seems desirable that the Government should get through as much work as possible this session, since the proximity of an election will make next session an occasion for talk and political manoeuvring rather than for legislation. On the other hand there are objections to bringing Parliament together early in the new year which the Government would do well to bear in mind. One is that the business of the country, and for that matter the government of the country, proceed more smoothly when Parliament is not in session. In recent years it has become a regular practice to call a special session in February or to carry over the ordinary session to that month. It is a practice which ought not to become an established political convention. Another objection, which applies only to the present instance, is that the Government will need all its courage and determination if it is to deal effectively with the dairy industry. Powerful forces are marshalled against it; and delay may play into their hands.