A MAY SESSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2731, 28 March 1916, Page 6

A MAY SESSION

WHAT IS THE REASON?

WORK TO BE DONE

The announcement was made by the Prime. Minister yesterday that Parliament would meet in; May for the transaction of business. The business of the session would be almost or entirely arising out of the war, and some of it would bo important business. Discussing the probable length of the session, Mr. Massey. said: "The length of the session, will depend on the House. The Government will submit a certain amount of- business, and the. House will sit until the business is finished. ■ If members choose to make it a long session tho responsibility is theirs. I know of'no reason for a, long session."

For.'many weeks rumours have been circulating about an early, session, and the possible reasons for it. At no time has tlio Prime Minister or any of his colleagues given the slightest hint of the reason for an eaTly summoning of Parliament. The need for compulsion is not the reason, for the need is not desperate yet. Probably the real reason is that suggested in a rumour which has had a limited circulation only among people who are usually well informed, ft is that the reason for. the calling together of Parliament has to do with 'His Excellency the governor, and that possibly His Excellency is contemplating a voyage to England. It. thus is the true reason, it accounts fully for the reticence of tip Government. on the subject. .. The principal business of Parliament when it meets will be to deal with legislation giving the Government power to raise our Expeditionary Force by compulsion. ' A Bill providing for some measure of compulsion will certainly lie submitted to the House by the. Government. There must be a "War Loan Bill, possibly an amendment of the Finance Bill to prqvide for increased revenue, and a review of the-War Pensions Bill is practically a certainty.