The Coming Session

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8155, 4 April 1906, Page 3

The Coming Session

A New Bad teal Parfy.

From an indisputable authority tho Wellington correspondent of thrj Auckland Herald learns that a* soon ms the now Parliament meets* it is intended to form a strong Radical party, whose members, it is estimated, will number from 16 to 20. By the formation of this party it is not nroposed to actio any war inimical to tne Seddon Government, which will bis *uppoi?tod by these Radicals as hitherto. The main object in viow is to ptoBH on the Governracnt the absolute necessity for administrative reform and Departmental efficiency. Another of the priudipal planks in the party's platform will be to urge on the Government the necessity of bringing down at the earliest possible moment a comprehensive measure of local government reform, extending the power of local bodies, widening the franchise, and handing over to the more important local bodies powers now held by Departments in Wellington, whose centralisation, it is claimed, is detrimental to efficient administration. Another phase of the question will be to endeavour to secure for country, dwellers equal rights with city people in regard to the local government franchise. It is stated that while the municipal franchise is now of the broadest nature, the small settler in the country is handicapped by the plural voting system, which stiil prevails in regard to county elections. There are members on tho Government side of the House whose sympathies arc entirely with the Radicals, but who refused to join the New Liberals last session. These members will probably throw in their lot with the Radical element.