THE COMING SESSION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1924, 8 May 1888, Page 2

THE COMING SESSION

The New Zealand Times is commonly believed to be a semi-official journal in respect to Ministerial proposals. One advantage which Ministers may derive from such an ally is that " feelers " may be thrown out, and if the popular voice is raised strongly against any governmental steps, which has been publicly mooted, the proposal can be withdrawn or amended. Bearing this in mind the following extracts from the New Zealand Times may be worthy of consideration : — " The Speech from the Throne is understood to have been already drafted for the consideration of the Cabinet, but to be still subject to final revision, and one of the points which yet remain open is this same Chiuese question. It is doubtful how far his Excellency the Governor

will feel warranted in going in the anti-Chinese direction without express Imperial sanction, notwithstanding the very pronounced action taken by the Governor of New South Wales, and in a less degree by the Governor of Victoria also." The socalled Ministerial organ is also responsible for the statement that "it is the intention of the Government to proceed steadily with the business of the session immediately after the Speech from the Throne has been declivered. Notice will at once be given of the Address-in-Reply, and of the sessional committees, also of several BiHs, and the House will meet on Friday afternoon in due course, when the debate on the Address will be opened, barring unforeseen contingencies." Was there ever a Government which, on the opening of a new session, did not propose to proceed steadily with the business immediately after the speech? The question is whether, in view of all the difficulties which they have to face — of the inevitable allround opposition to retrenchment whenever it is to be enforced within particular districts, and of the want of a recognised leader of the Opposition, the Government will be able to proceed steadily with the business in the direction which they wish to go. Apart from retrenchment, the questions of closure and of a radical change in the hours of sitting, will necessarily raise stiff barriers to rapid progress.