THE SPECIAL SESSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20795, 11 February 1931, Page 10

THE SPECIAL SESSION.

The decision that Parliament must meet on March 11 to deal with problems created by the state of economic depression and by the Hawke's Bay earthquake is an acknowledgment by the Government that there is a call for action to meet the needs of the times. That acknowledgment is of value, but it is a perfectly legitimate question whether the summoning of Parliament is the best way to ensure action. The answer depends on several circumstances. To summon Parliament is quite a sound move if the Government has definite proposals to submit, for even more than in ordinary times, the Government must give the lead. It may have ideas in mind to meet both the emergencies cited which will require legislative sanction : but if those ideas are not clear-cut and ready for application, if ways and means are to be hammered out only after Parliament meets, then the summoning of it spells undesirable delay. It is a large, unwieldy body, slow to move, from which it is difficult to get decisions.. The position therefore sums itself up readily. If there is in mind a course of action that needs the sanction of Parliament, the calling of a session is thoroughly justified. But, having decided on this step, it is for the Government to produce a policy in shape for immediate execution. To summon Parliament simply in search of a policy would spell unpardonable irresolution in those from whom the country has the right to demand leadership, as proved by concrete proposals to meet the adverse circumstances ruling. It is for the Government to show what is its state of mind and of preparedness. Another and vital point is that action must 'not be delayed until the session opens. There is plenty for the Government to do in the meantime, and no excuse for failure to do it. An example is offered by the Sydney cablegram stating that unemployed tradesmen there are turning their eyes to Napier as a possible source of work. There are enough unemployed in

this country already. Workmen cannot be prevented from coming, but the Government might well consider a system of permits for workers, preventing any except those so authorised from entering the earthquake area. These should be given only to approved persons, one of the conditions being that the man shall have been in New Zealand for a specified time. If the Government announced, and made it widely known, that preference would be given New Zealand workers who had been unemployed for some time, it might check any tendency for men from Australia to come crowding over in search of employment in the devastated area. Something should certainly be done to keep the opportunity for our own people. This instance is given in detail to show that everything need not and must not await the summoning of Parliament.