PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6699, 6 October 1882, Page 2

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

The recent prorogation of Parliament was certainly not imposing in its surroundings. The excitement usually attendant on its opening was markedly absent; and instead of the buoyancy of spirit which reveals itself in the look and manner of the numerous members who then muster, inspired with the hope of forwarding the nation’s weal, the whole demeanor of the small, band who witnessed the concluding ceremony of the session bore evidence of fatigue induced by four months’ constant application to exhausting work. Yet none the leas on these accounts was the prorogation posse ised of significancy. , It told Its own peculiar, tale as all human perforin; noes do’; and specially those wearing in any way the stamp of finality. , In itself it was testimony to the fact that another contribution had been made . to the detriment or benefit of the material' and social interests of mankind as localised in these Islands, and was suggestive of an invitation to the public to determine in what light that contribution deserves to i'be -regarded.; We have already declared it as our conviction that the session which has just closed has, despite the denunciations prematurely hurled against it, been fruitful of sound and practical legislation to a larger extent perhaps than any preceding it since the time the colony, received its Constitution. And it may be regarded as pretty certain that this is the conclusion to which the public generally will eventually incline. Time may be required for this, for the public mind is slow in maturing itself, yet, it will not on that account be the less, but rather the more,-decided in the long run. And specially will this be the case as the benefits of the Consolidation Acts and Local Government Acts begin to be gradually realised. Judges, magistrates, lawyers, and laymen alike will feel it an unspeakable comfort to be relieved of the necessity of consulting a great number of Ordinances, Acts, and Amendment Acts, on the matters of law, customs, public works, &c;, and to be able, by reference to one Act, to find all the provisions of the Statute Book on these respective subjects. Aud a similar feeling will be experienced by the great body of the people as they come to understand the working ot the Local Government Acts, and more especially the Road Boards Bill and the Roads and Bridges Construction Bill. In the provisoes of these Acts not only will increased facilities be found for opening up the country and furnishing to the settlers more ready access to the markets for their produce ; but there will also be discovered the means of interesting all the electors in the practical government of the country to a much larger extent than was hitherto possible. In a word, the operation of these provisions will have the effect of gradually developing in the mind of the body politic a feeling of satisfaction, than which there can be no better test of, the good government and progress of any country. Such, we do not hesitate' to say, will be the practical outcome of the legislation of the past session, which has just closed its labors so modestly. In the countenances of the members present, and especially those of the Ministry, might be read the expression of a

sense of relief that the onerous duties which had devolved on them were now discharged. Such a feeling they were quite justified in having. They have done their part to the’ best 6f their ability, and may .new calmly await the verdict of the country, That this will ■be all that they might desire can hardly be expected, but.that it will, in the main, be favorable they need not hare any doubt; and, with this assurance, it is to be hoped that during the recess they may amply enjoy their homes, and profit by their ordinary avocations.