WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BE?

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 271, 13 November 1909, Page 8

WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BE?

■WOBK PLENTIFUL, TDIE SCARCE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Uepoiter.) WELLIXGTOX, this day. The presentation, oj the Budget on Wednesday night has set members thinking, and they are greatly concerned as to when they will get to their homes. "As a matter of fact," said an old and experienced member to your representative, "you may take it for granted that very little will be done. The Budget is so 'big that members are actually afraid to tackle it, and it is quite possible that the debate will collapse on Tuesday -night. If, on the other hand, it gets going, it may easily last for a fortnight, and that brings us into December, and all the members I have spoken to—a large majority of the whole —say distinctly tihat they will not come back after Christmas. What kind of legislative programme can the Government get through in the fortnight or so remaining available for work? The main Estimates will take up some days, the details of the retrenchment scheme alone will keep discussion going for quite a long time, and there are other matters included in the Estimates which would-easily warrant several days' debate. Even sitting night and day, the merest details of the necessary work of Parliament could scarcely be carried out before the advent of the holiday season, and the prospects of the Native Land Bill, the Licensing Bill, the Succession Duties, '.he Defence Bill, and such like important legislative proposals fade away into the dim distance. On the other hand, it has to be borne in mind that this is ihe first business session of the new Parliament, and the first session in which the new Ministry has been in command of the situation, that it "has already been announced that the Government programme will b« carried ou f - no matter how long members are forced to stay in "Wellington, that in some respects the -Ministry is absolutely committed to the passing of certain legislation (all of which is of the most 'controversial character), and unless the financial debate collapses in a few hours the chances of Parliament proroguing before the end of the year are very small. Those "who have fully considered the subject are inclined to the opinion that Sir Joseph Ward will ipMst on a certain amount of legislative work beiarr performed. He and Cabinet know the extent of that programme, but no one else does, and it is shrewdly, guessed that the doors of Parliament will not be closed until its allotted task l> as heen performed. WOLFE'S SCHXAPPS A pleasant tonic beverage. The man wno emoKes MILD DERBY is enthusiastic is its praise*. It Is a blend of aromatic and dark Tobacco. Can he indulged in to any extent without "bite" to the tongue.—(Ad.) 100 pieces rainproof tulle, all leading shades, 4sd, 4 jd, 4Jd. —Smith and Caughey; Ltd.—(Ad.) , To keep the eun off the little feUomr. Boaters, Panamas, .and N*poleon aad jack tar shapes. Have a-good line. boy* l knickers, at 2/6 each, Qeo. JfowWi.-i *Ad.i ' ■