The New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY). THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1881.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6272, 19 May 1881, Page 4

The New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY). T HURSDAY, MAY 19, 1881.

The near approach of Parliamentary session arouses speculations as to the course of political events which may then ensue—the policy of the Government, their intended measures, and the probable opposition such measures will meet with. Ministerial utterances, so far, have not been at all explicit. The Hon. Colonial Treasurer, in his recent address, intimated that few bills would be brought forward, for the country needed political rest, at least a breathing time between the close of the session and the meeting of a new Parliament, wherein the work of administrative reform now in operation might be advanced another stage towards its perfect consummation. The Premier has not yet spoken, though it may be reasonably anticipated that in his address to the electors of Leeston next week, he will give a tolerably comprehensive outline of the intended Ministerialprogramme. Thus it is only by comparison of the speeches made by Ministerial supporters on the one hand, and professed opponents on the other, aided by such items of definite information as through one source and another becomes revealed, notwithstanding the assumption of strict official reserve, that a forecast of the probable business of the session can be made. It may, we opine, be taken for granted that chief among the measures to be introduced will be a new Representation Bill, or rather a modification of the one introduced last session, for the settlement of this question cannot longer be postponed. With it also the Premier will, no doubt, re-introduce the Bills he brought before the House last session, and without which any attempted reform in the matter of Representation cannot be considered complete, to wit, the Corrupt Practices Prevention, the Regulation of Elections, and the Election Petitions Bills. These w ere only withdrawn for the time being, because the larger measure could not be carried; but the need for all is still apparent. The Hon. the Premier will also scarcely permit the session to pass without again introducing the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act for which he battled so strenuously last session. The property tax will find Government support, and in favor of this many reasons have been and still will be advanced. There is, however, every probability of a fierce disputation on the respective merits of a property tax compared with a tax on incomes, and the expediency of making both property and income subject to taxation. The disturbing element which may mar a really deliberate decision in this respect, is the impending general election. There may be _ a hesitancy among members in committing themselves to action which may be unfavorably construed when they nest appear on the hustings. It is just probable that no radical change will be made, and that the machinery of the Property Tax Act will be kept in operation for another year. The Education Vote is another measure round about which there is likely to be some ineffectual sparring. The Colonial Treasurer will very probably propose its reduction, or at all events steadily oppose any suggestion for its increase. Members on the Government and Opposition benches will alike strive to obtain a vote of all they possibly can under this head, for school boards and committees represent agencies not to be despised among electorates, and as a candidate’s views on education will be made

a test question in nearly every constituency, those members who propose seeking re-election will necessarily be cautious in avoiding any imputation of economising on an item wherein the vast majority of electors are personally interested. This is, in fact, a chief obstacle, at the present moment, to any material reduction in the cost of the educational system of the colony, and in the speeches recently made by members the guarded manner in which this particular subject has been approached is most marked. The Licensing Act, to be introduced by the Government, will probably embody concessions which will make it more generally acceptable to the licensed victualler interest than the Bill of last session. Though the Colonial Secretary may be anxious to make the Bill as thorough, from a restrictive point of view, as the most thorough-paced local option advocate could desire, due consideration must be paid to the heavy vested interests involved, and the claims of justice and equity. We have reason for supposing that this particular Bill will be most carefully prepared, in the hope that it may become law, in a generally acceptable form, and the troublesome question be disposed of. Discussion on the Licensing Act last session reached a point where differences of opinion had narrowed down to a few issues, which might have been adjusted had the Bill not been swept into the whirlpool of castaway measures —the outcome of much fruitless labor during a troublous session. The Native question, it may be safely prophesied, will be let discreetly alone. The measures passed last session are found to be working well. The present attitude of the various tribes is essentially one of peace, save perhaps in minor degree where indiscreet counsels have prevailed, and there really is no reason to check the course of the present native policy. We do not imagine the Government will make any new proposal in such respect except in dealing with incidental matters in which experience has shown there is need for amendment. The recommendations of the Judicature Commission will in all probability be embodied in a Government measure and, except possibly from an insignificant and interested section of the House, such measure is not likely to meet with opposition. The enlargement of the powers of local bodies will certainly be debated, but it is doubtful whether any direct legislation will result, unless the question of Representation is settled early in the session. It is just possible that a readjustment of electoral districts will be followed by a readjustment of County boundaries and a lessening of the number of Counties, and the amalgamation of County Councils and Eoad Boards, and it will be necessary that all these matters, the one affecting the other, should be arranged before the question of enlarged local powers is entered upon. Further redactions of the Civil Service and a readjustment of the scale of salaries in lieu of the ten per cent, deduction are likely to be comprised in the Government proposals, and there is also the possibility—though it may not come in the form of a direct Government proposal—of a debate on the propriety of disuniting the Government Life Insurance business from tbe Civil Service, and placing it on a separate and independent footing. The renewal of encouragement to Immigration and an arrangement with the occupiers of land on deferred payments, who, accepting responsibilities beyond their powers, find themselves still heavy debtors to the State and their means exhausted, will also find advocacy. As the railways of the colony are now paying a fair percentage on the cost of construction, it seems unlikely that the Government will propose leasing the lines to private parties, as has been suggested. Upon the main question whether the Government will or will not have a sufficient following to carry their measures and retain office, it is impossible to hazard an opinion with any degree of certainty, but we think Ministers will command a majority. Of their supporters who have spoken publicly, the majority have shown no wavering in allegiance; with one notable exception, _ Mr. Ormond, who has been mentioned as the probable leader of a new Opposition party. Of the avowed opponents of the Ministry, those who have spoken have certainly made no claim to an acquisition of numbers on their side, or a better consolidation of strength and unity of purpose than prevailed among them during the last session. Of the multitude who have not spoken during the recess, it may be very fairly assumed that they will, as on previous occasions, await the opening of the session, and the probable issue of events, before declaring under which leader they will range.