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Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 519, 28 May 1909, Page 6

in this vcspoct to—what 1 To his own party needs. In fact, as the Otago Daily 2 lines well points out in unconscious' response to our question of Tuesday last as to what interests ho is anxious to serve, the Prime Minister will prove conclusively that ho is more concerned to look after his party than to serve the Empire's need. If ho placed tho neccs.Bifcios'of the Empire before everything, ho would not make his service to the Empire in the way pf personal attendance at tho Conference contingent upon the agreement of Parliament to,neglect the country's interests in the interests of a, Primb Minister who has chosen a: set of colleagues whom he cannot trust to carry on public business during his absence. Nq_ doubt tho Government is hopeful that it will place the opponents of a sessional adjournment under suspicion of having treated the needs of tho Empiro with contempt. But wo are confident .that the public and all fair-minded men in Parliament will refuse to bo deluded. Parliament will certainly be not unwilling to - BCnd • Sin Joseph Ward to . London, but if ho refuses to go as the result of a Parliamentary decision that the session shall not bo interrupted, it will bo plain to ovnry sensible person that the obstaclo will have been, not any want of Imperial feeling in the objectors to postponement, but tho Prime Minister's own unwillingness to placo the needs of tho Empire above his own party needs. . When ho says that he ought to go to London, but that he will not go if Parliament does not adjourn, ho says in offoot: "The needs of the Empire aire of deep concern to_ me, but the needs of my party are of still greater importance." Ma. Millar can quite oasily carry on the sossion for Sir Joseph Ward, as Sir Joseph carriod it on for Hr.'Seddon in 1902, The interests of the country do not make tho presence of the Prime. Minister during, tho session absolutely necessary, although ifc may be desirable. It is, for him to decide where ho is most required—whethor in London or in Parliament during tho session. Parliament. will doubtless support him in bis choice. But we shall be surprised if Parliament decides that tho session must be postponed. Wo are still waiting—and we know we shall wait in vain—for an answer to the real ques-' tion'in dispute: Why should tl\e session be nrfjownedl Do the requirements of ths Empire demand an adjournment 1 Certainly they do.not. Do the requirements' of New Zealand demand the normal course of business, and the propel dispatch of business 1 Most decidedly, yes., .■■„..'■