WORK OF THE SESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15730, 3 October 1914, Page 6

WORK OF THE SESSION

The House of Representatives has decided to sit on Mondays for the remainder of the session, this with a view to an early prorogation.- Now that both parties have made '.up their -minds,; to face an , election in December, they can best serve their own and their country's interests by leaving electioneering. for the ; hustings and devoting the ensuing few weeks to the prompt despatch of public business, v; Among the Bills still to be dealt with, the. Education Bill, the Legislative Council Reform Bill, and the Local Grants and Subsidies Bill are so important that the public will expect, the Government to; provide ample opportunity • for their discussion' and the Opposition to refrain from needless "stonewalling" during their progress. The Education Bill opens no controversy; it has, been welcomed by both parties and may be expected to pass without opposition. The Legislative Council Reform Bill and the Local Grants and Subsidies Bill are more likely to arouse party feeling.' They are part of" the Reform programme for abolishing the Ministerial privileges which the present Opposition Party fostered while in office. What-

ever view the Opposition may take of them it is'the Government's business to see them passed before the session closes. Tho obstruction of nominated Councillors has made it impossible for the Elective Legislative Council 1 Bill to be effective at the coming election, . but the fight having been 1 won at some cost in the second chamber, Mr. Massey cannot bo expected to make further time concessions to ": opponents in the House, of Representatives. The Local' Grants and Subsidies Bill is intended to be immediately operative and must havo a great influence on the December elections. With this measure on the

Statute Book electors will know that neither their votes nor their members can influence grants for local works. All Ministerial and political influence as applied to roads arid bridges will thus be removed from the elections ; wo may expect as a result an improved and more representative Parliament. %i