ON THE EVE OF THE SESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11692, 29 June 1901, Page 5

ON THE EVE OF THE SESSION

POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON. CURRENT RUMOURS. [BY telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT-] Wellington, Friday. Public interest in the session of Parliament, which is to open on Monday, is at present absolutely, lifeless. The fact is that the Royal visit has so overshadowed everything else that people hare had no time to think of things political, and the quidnuncs profess to believe it extremely doubtfin whether the Government will be ready with the business of the session next week. Mr. Seddon is very energetic, but it is difficult to seo how even his remarkable energy is equal to the task of preparing legislation whilst fulfilling his duty of travelling all over the colony with the Royal visitors. One of the first Bills to be laid before Parliament will be that which is to remodel the system of local government, but it is improbable that this will be ready fir some days, as it is to be discussed by a conference of delegates of local bodies to meet shortly in Wellington. ...... Probably business in the first few days will be long drawn out, and be of the usual description, when members come fresh to Wellington, primed with eloquence, which must be got rid of by the safety valve of Hansard before any real work can be done. Certain it is that the members of the advanced Radical party will be as active a* ever and keen in their criticism of the Government.

It is stated that strong objection will be taken in some quarters to the large expenditure incurred over the Royal visit, but so far as I can ascertain such objection will bo confined to a very small section if it is raised at all. The general feeling appears to octhat since the entertainment of the Royal guests has been carried, out so successfully, it might be interpreted as churlish on the part of critics to strike a jarring note at this stage, especially as the expenditure has now been incurred, and must be paid. At the same time the vote is a large one, and possibly some of the country members, whose constituents are cut off from markets and from civilisation during the winter months through the want of roads -and bridges, may have something to say on the subject. One matter about which an animated debate may be expected at the earliest opportunity is the unexpected scandal regarding the Now town Park encampment, and the extraordinary language employed by Colonel Penton in his address to the troops. This incident has given rise to a strong feeling, and it is likely that some of the heads of the Defence Office will come in for very free criticism over the whole business.

It has been hinted during the past few days that Bills will be brought in, designed to increase the tenure of Parliament to five years, and to increase the honorarium to £500. A determined stand will be taken against both these measure should they make their appearance. It is quite certain that should these Bills be brought down a very stormy period will follow, and that all the forms of Parliamentary procedure will be exhausted in the effort to defeat such legislation. The old rumour of an alliance between the malcontents of the Government party and the advanced members of. the Opposition is revived. There is said to be a good deal of dissatisfaction amongst a section of the Government followers, which may find expression before the session is many days old.