THE PREMIER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2511, 26 May 1909, Page 5

THE PREMIER

WILL CONSULT MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AS TO VISITING ENGLAND.

(Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, May 25. As to the date when Parliament assembles and as to what course would be taken to determine whether he would attend the naval conference in London, the Prime Minister this evening made an important statement to the following effect. He explained that Parliament now stands prorogued until the 10th June," and that in New Zealand no power exists to enable the Governor, when a day has been so fixed, to call Parliament together for any earlier date no matter how pressing the urgency or how great the crisis. In England special statutory power was long since given to the King to summon Parliament at any time after six days’ notice, notwithstanding that he had previously fixed by proclamation a later date- for its meeting. Unfortunately in New Zealand no such statutory provision exists, with the result I have just stated. Where, therefore, matters of urgent importance arise requiring the Government to ascertain the will of Parliament, the only course open is one which I believe has been taken on

several occasions in English speaking countries, namely, of asking the members of Parliament to informally meet and discuss the urgent matters which have arisen and so express their opinion and their will t-o the Government of the clay. Since His Excellency fixed the 10th June next, matters of the greatest importance have arisen in connection with the naval defence of the Empire. It is not necessary that I should outline what has taken place, because the cables from England have already disclosed the situation very fully. The outcome of the situation, however, has been the convening by the Imperial Government of a conference of. representatives of British selfgoverning dominions to meet in London for the purpose of conferring with the Imperial authorities there and of arriving at some more satisfactory basis if Imperial naval defence than now exists. To this conference I have been invited by an invitation conveyed through His Excellency the Governor in terms so cordial and urgent as to induce me to think that mv attendance will be viewed by the members of both Houses of Parliament not only as a matter to bo considered independent of party, but as one' amounting almost to a duty. On my part 1 cannot, however, accept the invitation without the approval of Parliament. The conference* lias been postponed to enable me to be present, but it- lias been found impossible to ddfer it to a date later than the last week in July. It is envious to enable me to attend 1 must be prepared to leave New Zealand about the middle of June. It is clear that, assuming that Parliament meets for the despatch of business on the 10th June, the earliest dare on which it can meet, the preliminaries which this session must precede the consideration of public business would delay my ascertaining the will ol Parliament too long to make it possible for me to leave at the time I have indicated. Under these circumstances I am confronted by two alternatives, either that of abandoning the proposal and at once declining the urgent invitation I have received, or of adopting the expedient 1 have above referred to, namely, that of informally meeting the members of both Houses on an earlier date than that now fixed for the assembling of Parliament, thus in effect enabling me to ascertain the wifi of Parliament upon this important question. After *nxious deliberation I have decided that it is my plain duty to give the members an, opportunity of considering this question, and the only practical method of doing so is the one lam adopting. lam satisfied that whether Parliament annroves or not of my proceeding t-o England, its members must approve of my giving them an opportunity of expressing their will upon a question of supremo importance. It is impossible to anticipate the momentous issues which may arise from the conference. It has already been refold'd to by a leading English statesman as an epoch-making event. The prudence of New Zealand being represented by its Prime Minister will, I think, be recognised when it is remembered that questions of great- and far-reach-ing importance will arise lor consideration and determination. The importance of the conference and the necessity for representation at it has been seen by all the self-governing parts of the British dominions, and If am informed they have agreed to send representatives. The warm and almost universal approval our proposed assistance to the Motherland has received from members of both sides of the House evinces what one might have expected, namelv. that the defence of the Empire, and particularly that most important branch —naval defence —is lifted above party politics and "arty interests into a feeling of united desire to strengthen the hands of the Empire against her enemies and draw closer the bonds that unite it. It has been suggested that T may proceed to. England and leave Parliament to continue its work. T am elearlv of opinion that this would be a breach of mv duty, not onlv to mv party and to the country, but to Parliament itself. This will be the first session of a new Parliament, and it must be obvious to anv fair-minded person that the Leader of the Government must this session be in bis nlace m the House. Anv proposal, therefore, of that kind must bo dismissed at onro as one T should not entertain.