She Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1902.

Evening Star, Issue 11697, 1 October 1902, Page 4

She Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1902.

It is not easy to understand on what principle the sessional abandanTha Approach* merit of Billfi—conventionally Jng End. known as the "slaughter of the innocents" —is conducted. HbcM measured absolutely non-political in character are invariably sacrificed; important social legislation is indefinitely dropped; and much-required amendments in existing statutes are most unreasonably postponed. Among the Bflla struck off the Order Paper yesterday at the instance of the ActingPremier are the Orchard and Garden Pests Bill, which has met this fate several sessions in succession, although legislation for the purpose of suppressing these pests is Urgently required in the interest of the fruit growers. The Young Persons' Protection Bill, although introduced by the Government and passed by the ' Legislative Council quite early in the session, has again been shelved, although the Minister of Education, in moving the second reading, stated that it had been very well considered and would commend itself as desirable, uader the necessity, which could not but be admitted, for some steps being taken to prevent children becoming irreclaimable because'of the neglect of the parents. The provisions were as reasonable as they ought to be and as effectual as they could be made. Thero was no valid reason which we can conceive why this meaarra should not have been proceeded

with and placed on the Statute Book, and we are surprised, nob only at the apathy of tomisters in the matter, but that members of the Legislature who are so loud-mouthed in ndvocacy of social reform did not insist on the measure becoming law. There would seem to be inore cry than Wool in the case hi these ltonorable gentlemen. Notwithstanding «ins of omission and w.inmission on the part of the Government, the dominant party in the House seom very well satisfied with the Avork of the session, with Ministers, and with themseires. A jubilant tone seemed to ran through the Caucus held yesterday, and triuraph at the ensuing polls is taken for granted. The Acting-Premier, ib wouldi seem* intends to force the running and to bring on the General Election at the earliest possible date—so soon in fact, after the prorogation as the rolls can be completed and printed. Sir Joseph is wise in his generation, and he will thus strike whilst- the iron of the Premier's return is hot and the excitement of his presence to the Colony animates the party; whilst there will be neither time not- opportunity for malignauts to raise inconvenient questions or to analyse the items of the reckoning which has! io be paid for the high jinks in London and the provinces and the political junketings in South Africa. There were pleasing circumstances in connection with the Caucus in the appreciation expressed of the good work done by members of the party who are not expected to seek re-election. MrCarncrosswaa especially honored by the Acting-Premier, who referred to him in very flattering terms as having gained the confidence and respect of both sides of the House. The member for the Taicri has well merited the commendation of the Minister, endorsed as it was most warmly by the Caucus. It would, we conceive, be a gracious, politic, sard judicious act on the part of the Government to secure the services in Parliament of Mr Oarneross by appointing him to the Legislative Council at tho first opportunity. The appointment would give general satisfaction and be open to none of tho objection? so reasonably expressed in regard to recent nominations of men who were merely local partisans, with no experience in public affairs and no qualifications whatever, personal or otherwise. Mr Carncroes would bo a valuable addition to the Council, and has well earned his spurs by a most useful record in tho Hours of Representatives, where, moreover, he has always in matters essential consistently supported tho Government ond their policy. Sir Joseph Ward took the opportunity of the Caucus to relieve the minds of the Ministerialists as to the financial position, giving confident assurance that there was no reason whatever to apprehend difficulties as to ways and means, but that those, available were amply sufficient to provide for requirements. He declared that the Colony, so far as raising the new loan was concerned, was practically independent of the London market, implying, of course, that the money, to a large extent at least, required to meet the public works expenditure that has been authorised by the expiring Parliament could bo raised in New Zealand. It is to be hoped that his anticipation in this respect may prove to be correct. Floating loans in London is manifestly a very expensive process, and the sums which g> out of the Colony for interest every year are at present very large. If. in the case of farther borrowing, the interest were payable to local investors, tho advantages, direct as well as indirect, would be very appreciable, politically, socially, and commercially.