THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1930. THE EVE-OF THE SESSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20600, 26 June 1930, Page 10

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1930. THE EVE-OF THE SESSION.

Another session of New Zealand's Parliament opens to-day. It is the middle session of the three which occur in an ordinary Parliamentary term, supposed to be devoted to serious legislative work because it is free from the influence of the preceding election, not yet covered by the shadow of the election to come. In this instance it can fairly be said the first session did not exhaust the possibilities of hard work, .leaving nothing to be done this year. On the contrary, it left almost everything to bo done this session and next if the Parliament is to leave any serious record of accomplishment behind it. Two special circumstances bear on the position from the outset. There has been a change of leadership with a reshuffle of portfolios, with the result that a different Cabinet from that of last year faces the House. Unfortunately latest advices show that the Prime Minister of last year will not be able even to appear where he will no longer lead. Sir Joseph Ward's health still arouses considerable anxiety. It is an appropriate time to express the hope that his gallant struggle against illness will soon be successful. Meantime ho will necessarily be an absentee. Two others present last session will not be there for this one. Sir Thomas "\Vilford has gone to duties far from the atmosphere of New Zealand politics. A new member sits for Parnell. The principal effect of these changes is that the Government, already sufficiently in the minority, is short of two votes at its command last year. These are the chief changes since the close of the last session.

Tho year, as already said, should be devoted to grappling seriously with the tasks of the Legislature. There is one factor demanding that an early start be made with the work. This is the year of an Imperial Conference, which the Prime Minister proposes to attend if he can leave his duties in the House soon enough to be present. He has outlined what he will propose to the two other parties. Undertaking to produce the major contentious measures of the session early, he will try to have them cleared away in the opening two months. Then, seeking an , assurance that the Government will not be unseated during his absence, he will leave a deputy to lead the House and finish off the session. On the face of it, this is reasonable. The representation of New Zealand at an Imperial Conference is a matter of moment, and it is customary for the Prime Minister to be the delegate. Neither party in Opposition 'would, care to appear as wantonly obstructing this course. They are likely to listen to reason on the subject. Still, there are difficulties. A great deal will have to bo crammed into the first two months, and the time spent on formalities must needs be severely curtailed. There will be no harm in this. Indeed, it promises to be a useful lesson in self-restraint for those members who run to loquacity. On the other hand, the need for hasto will not excuse lack of care in considering questions of grave national importance. Hitherto the urge for speed, always felt toward the end of a session, has encouraged rush legislation of an undesirable kind. A great deal of skill and forbearance will be needed to secure the necessary expedition, and at the same time avoid the dangers of being in too great a hurry. Also, there may be division of opinion about what is contentious and what is not. The first eight weeks of the session will possibly be a testing time in more senses than ono.

Of the questions which must be considered early and earnestly, finance takes first place. After the Budget forecast Mr. Forbes made immediately upon assuming office, financial issues would have been urgent, whatever the other circumstances of the session. With his desire to go abroad, added, ho must produce his Financial Statement as soon as possible, and follow it by his concrete proposals to meet the position ho has predicted. He has talked of more taxation. This is a question the House cannot afford to regard lightly. He has spoken of drastic economy. In theory this may be approved, but experience shows that whenever the pruning knife is directed toward any particular department of State activity, hosts of objections arise almost automatically. The outlook justifies more than vigorous effort for departmental economy, and the stopping of every possible leak through which revenue might flow needlessly. It calls for serious reconsideration of many parts of the Government's declared policy, concerning capital expenditure as well as ordinary revenue. Then there are such questions as, transport regulation and a new policy in education. They are legacies from last session. Neither is unimportant, neither can be certified in advance as uncontentious. It may be going too far to say that what the Prime Minister has proposed for the early part of the session is impossible of accomplishment. It is very certain, however, that to carry out the programme will mean crowded, if not hectic, weeks of work. The new Standing Orders, with reduced sitting hours, tried last session, are not likely to stand the strain. These are the principal features of the prospect Parliament faces as it assembles for the session to-day.