The Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1908. THE COMING SESSION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 149, 25 June 1908, Page 4

The Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1908. THE COMING SESSION.

Parliament meets next week, and the vice-regal speech will odntahi' a comprehensive programme of business to which Members will be requested to give their earnest attention. The session is not likely w be unduly prolonged, for two reasons. One is that a General Election is pending, and Members are anxious ty get to their constituencies, in order to make, their calling and election sure. Another reason will be found in the fact that the temporary meeting-place of Parliament will not contain so many of the adjuncts of luxury which were in evidence in the old Parliament House. On the contrary, very; great inconvenience and discomfort will have to be endured by Members in their temporary home, and this should tend to bring the Session to an early close. If there is any other reason why a short session may be hoped for, it will be found in the fact* that, as there will be little or no accommodation for visitors. Members will not be so prone to "talk to the gallery.." Speeches will probably be curtailed, to their maniresfc improvement, and1 to the unspeakable relief of the stenographers, whose duty it "is to x record the many wise— or otherwise—utterances, that fall from' the lips of the people's representatives. Since the political menu is of .so substantial and varied a character, Members will certainly require to address themselves earnestly to business from the start, if they hope to get through within reasonable time. For one thing the desire may very well be expressed that there will not take place that wearisome, lengthy, and entirely useless debate with which a session generally commences, nominally upon the motion for the adoption pi an address-in-reply to the Governor's speech, but really about nothing in particular, though every things in general comes up for review. This formal debate can- very well be disposed of in one sitting if Members are really anxious to get on 'Hjjth the work of the country. Many other topics- provocative of debate may also receive just as careful attention if less talking be indulged in, which may indeed result in more thinking being bestowed upon the subjects discussed. The Governor's speech is certain to contain, amongst others, the following proposals for amending existing legislation:—The Civil Service Act, the Conciliation • and Arbitration Act, the •Mining Acfy the Shipping ,and Seamen's Act. the Slaughtering and Inspection Acti the Teachers' Superannuation Act, the Tramways Act, the Workers' Compensation Act, the Education Act, the Police Superannuation Act, the Contractors' and Workmen's Liens Act, the Corporation Contractors' Act, Destitute Persons Act, and the Friendly Societies Act. . There will also be introduced a Bill providing for a second ballot at ■ elections; another for a system of national annuities for the people generally, and superannuation for employees of all local bodies. A very long list of other measures is also foreshadowed, but it is doubtful if time will be found for further work. There are the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, the Quackeries Prevention Bill, and other matters of importance, which may or may not be introduced this session. Native .land legislation' ><was '*also;; promised last year, but it /.is ; likely; that this, will r he ; ., wjthheldr till the. Commission has, finished its labours. Local and private. Bills of: sabre or less concern will claim;. sorne attention, and proposals will he considered for* rer i building PaHLajneiti Housei; andl,p*ob- j ably providing a new,,. sG^yemriientii House, as well as a new railway station for Wellington. "From the foregoing forecast it will be seen that there is quite enough work to occupy the attention of Members for three months .at least. It is..to lie-hoped that the country will'this year be spared the usual spectacle of Members, filtering away time during the first Half of the session,.'and rushing measures through without proper consideration during the remaining' portion. t Steady methodical work from"1 beginning to end of ,the session will, be more conducive to sound legisla-

tion, requiring i'only such subsequent amendment as experience in its working may show to be necessary.