POLITICAL REST.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 21 October 1908, Page 4

POLITICAL REST.

It is curious how Mstory repeats itself. Soma years ago a Premier was. greatly ridiculed because h« declared that the country needed "political rest," and tiie phrase- was ustd! very dexterously against hirru and bis p&rty. But the px"etaent Premidr has revived tb.e demand for reat for tha country in his speech, at lMixnarston,. Ho said "In many respects our legislation is ahead of that of most countries <tf t<h_ world. We require in considering what is desirable for the future to survey what has been, done in tha past. I am of opinion uh&t, whilei progi'es, should be our watchword, a rest in legislation ia desirable. I do not say that we can avoidl what may prove to bei requisite legislation in the future; but I think that as we have done go much, and met the general roqu're *• . memts of our country so effectively, that our efforts now should be directed towards good administration of our laws ; the active settlement of t<h& people am our lands; and the pmsuau:e of the closer settlement policy that now exists. We jure essentially an export country, and all, in our power that cam ba dono'toi help our producers tc find the best and the most lucrative markets is very neocesary. Our industries pep reaaonaoly protected, and every^j^e^unity should: h& worded to ,sMm^^tending atfd improving <pmoijjfitf4t- I feel that tho best »i»fceppfc jp# the eounftpv -will bd coxutervos hf fy&ns! the jnnoutoexy 1 of the Oovefjmn^at in tih* diction of helping 4h£ stability, em|iloyirient and develop;

meat of our producing power and industrial concerns. That there must bo a considerable inipetua given k> gettJomcaiti, production, and employment in the 1 North. Island, particularly as the outcoinet of the transport facilities by r<he opening of the North Island Main Trunk radlwrry, to which further fodders must iii. the future be provided, is clearly obvious. The Manawatu railway, also, which presently will be State-owned, will be an important factor im dov-elopi.tig' rji Increased railway la'affie, and, I hopei, an additional settiearient, not only ta tha districts through which, it runs), but over c?<reas beyond it, as it ?s certain greater work will be done ovar it under Government adtninistratienn, than under private control, however good that control in the past may lmva Loam. By rurtaiiling legislation, a greater opportunity will be gkeu to members of Parliament to discuss tha fcrnera! administration of tho country, and as our departments have< bean added to greatly during rocwit years, I feel that in giving effect to a. policy of this nature it will \ba ?alcu- j lated to inspire a greater confidence i and general satisfaction ta <the» conn.--tiy aa a whole 1 , and to cany out the | work that Parliament is really intendied for." We give; i.lie n.attr<r rrorninience because we believe the Premier's expression of opinion on the .subject of curtailing legj&lation ia evidence that Iliei Dominion ia /returning toi common sense Foa* a good) many' yeara billshave been brought, down n\ shoals, tund the statute book each session hara assumed very great, proportions It ■would bo a very good thins* indc&d if tho Government were to decide, tlut for a year or two only unavodldaibly necessiai'y new laws should be promoun& This cowrsie would tettidl to settle the minds of people engaged .in trade and industry, but what is more important still it wonild give, mombersi of tha Houaei time to look into finance and of -whichj for a, numbea* of years there: has been no effective examination amd criticism.