The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1928. SESSION ENDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1928. SESSION ENDS.

Parliament made the usual rush to a finish, finalising its work in a very hurried manner late on Tuesday night. It was the customary method of procedure —opening with long drawn out speeches, the usual delays while skirmishing on hills and reports, and their indecent haste to clear up the order paper in the end when much legislation, more or less important, had to be rushed through. To meet the convenience of the Lower House in these methods of procedure, the Upper House, in the end, had to sit intermittently, while formal assent apparently was given to the work of the other

, Chamber without that degree of patient review and examination which in tire ordinary course might be expected. Yet such is the game of politics 1 The procedure is riot new. It has grown j on Parliament, and it is noticeable, 1 specially in the closing session of a parliamentary term when members are busy preparing for an election, and anxious to get into their electorates to probe the local situation. The session has been responsible for some fifty or sixty public Acts, new or amendments, being placed on the Statute Book. Although some of the measures excited a good deal of debate and some stonewalling, noticeably the Mental Defectives measure, and the Cinematograph Films Legislation, there does not 'appear to be much legislation of special note. About half the measures passed were amending laws already in existence, which proportion probably is a reflex of the hurried way in which general legislation is dealt w’ith in the first instance, particularly during the rush periods above referred to. There was very little in the way of definite policy measures excepting an extension of the freehold principle as provided for in the Land Laws Amendment. This is rather a. remarkable omission seeing the majority possessed by the Government. The Government legislation in the main found general acceptance though the Prime Minister felt it wise to capitulate on some points owing to the insistence of the Opposition. In that respect Mr Co'ates handled Parliament very well. The experience gained has been put to good advantage and the Prime Minister is now a very confident leader. One mistake lie appeared to make, or rather repeat, namely in respect to the licensing legislation, did not show the best of judgment, in that the Minister acted without " consulting his ministerial colleagues, and there was the spectacle of the party being seriously divided. By a fortunate circumstance in a difficult situation, Mr Coates was able to assist in killing his own bill, and that fate was probably the best for the reputation, of its sponsor. The next move regarding licensing matters will probably be more circumspect, for the lesson of the past two sessions fs not likely to go unlearned. Regarding the progress of the session, the Labour Party, the Official Opposition, was very aggressive. The party did not hide its light nor shirk its responsibilities. Its criticism was frequent and free, but it did not succeed in drawing the Government over much. The chief event of the session was the re-appearance of Sir Joseph Ward, as leader of the United Party, in active politics again. Tt was the custom to pass many a joke about the Uniteds, but when the announcement of the leader was made, the joking ceased, and Sir Joseph received the respect due to his outstanding ability. The United Party is now being taken more seriously, but until there is a declaration of its policy its possible effectiveness is still in embryo. For the rest, the Prime Minister came through the session with good, deal of kudos. He

Inis proved lii« capabilities as Leader of tlie House, and lie- lias an improved standing with his party. The growing strength of the political, opposition is assisting to consolidate Refonn, and that will make Mr Coates’ task easier. There are other aspects of the session calling for attention and reference to these will lie made later for which opportunity is sure to come.