PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4082, 21 June 1900, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

THE PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS There will, of course, he little interest manifested in the proceedings at Parliament House to-day, for the, opening by commission is an exceedingly dry formality, anti the swearing-in of members is about as impressive as, say, the administration of the oath to a Chinese witness in a Court of law. As regards the election of Speaker of the House of Representatives, there is absolutely no room for speculation—it being a foregone conclusion that Sir 0. -VI. ORoike will be unanimously re-ap-pointed to the position of First Commoner, upon winch he has in the past shed stick lustre. The ceremonial opening of Parliament to-morrow will bo chiefly interesting because of the ; curiosity to know what legislative measures will be foreshadowed in the Speech from the, Throne On this occasion more than customary reticence lias been observed regarding the programme for the session, and there is naturally a desire to know whether a, measure will be foreshadowed for the 'reform of the Legislative Council, or whether a proposal will be made to increase the number of Cabinet Ministers, witli the alternative of creating Parliamentary Under-Secretaries Any reference to railway extension will be eagerly canvassed, as providing an indication of the public works policy of the Government. There is some speculation as to who % will he, appointed Governmfent Whip, in succession to the Hon. James McGowan. Local rumour favours the selection of Air John ibtevens, M.H.R. for Rahgitikei, whose long and loyal service to the party, combined with bis natural bonhomie anid great personal popularity, establish at once his fitness and his claims for the position. Mr J. A.-Millar, of Dunedin, will, however, be a formidable rival; unless, indeed, Ministers think it expedient to oiler the position to Mr W. J. Napier, by way of indirectly recognising that gentleman’s .merits, and giving him an earnest, of promotion to Cabinet rank. The Government's intentions will doubtless'he made known at the first Ministerial caucus.

THE OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP,

Tiny promoters of the New Liberal party have since yesterday experienced what in the language of tlio Stock Exchange is "known as a. “slump.” They find, as legislators arrive in Wellington, that men of generous instincts rebel against the cold-blooded suggestion that Captain Russell should be deposed in favour of a more magnetic and attractive gentleman. , A somewhat awkward apology is therefore offered to the late leader of the Qpppsition, apd it is now proposed that he should form one of a, quartette' to lead the New Liberals. As these leaders are to be Captain Russell, Messrs Jas. Allen,'W. F. Massey and Fred. Pirani, the public will have no difficulty in identifying the quality of the New Liberalism. In plain words, it is to be compounded of three parts of oldi Conservatism and one of “Left Wingism”—a, mere attenuated continuation. of the coalition party that has for seven or eight years past essayed the task of opposition. The only definite idea underlying the silly talk, about .New Liberals is a, fixed determination to end the leadership of Captain Russell. The Christchurch “Press, ' the staunchest Conservative organ in the country, frankly confesses that “among the remnants of the Opposition party there is a feeling of dissatisfaction with their late chief—a conviction that, at any rate, he is not the man to lead a forlorn hope with any prospect of success.” Like our local contemporary, the “Press” also builds its hopes ripon a supposed condition of “uncertainty and unrest” in the Ministerial ranks, and it advises the Opposition to adopt a, donothing policy and await, with ; Bismarckian cynicism, the spectacle of the large Government following “frying in their own fat.” All this is no doubt perfectly fair, and it may be excellent tactics; hnb surely the pretence should bo abandoned that, the inclusion of "Mr PLrnnV in the councils of the Opposition is going to change the old Conservatives into New Liberals.

PRESENTATION TO A LEGISLATOR.

At a recent meeting of Wellington trade-unionists it was resolved to mark the re-appointment of the Hon. John Riggto the Legislative'Council by presenting that gentleman with an address and a purse of sovereigns, in appreciation of his services during his past seven years’ term of office. This very laudable movement has not been allowed to proceed without the “odium- politicum being aroused, and the matter has been made the subject, of Opposition misrepresentation. The Christchurch “Press” lias published a statement that circulars sent out -in connection with tlie proposal were “franked” through the Post Office —the inference being that Ministers', or officials were thus making an improper use of their privileges. Wo have the assurance of Mr W. P. MeGirr (chairman) and Mr Wm. Naughton (secretary and treasurer of the movement) tiiat not a single circular was franked, all being posted and! prepaid in the usual way. No doubt, the result of the attempt to injure the proposal will be that the success of the presentation will be made more certain- Mr Bigg deserves the thanks of the class whom ho represents in the Council. He is not our ideal of a legislator. For example, it is impossible to agree with his declaration in the course of argumenhin the-Council that the chief aim of all workers should be to “get, as much money as possible for as little work as possible.’’ But lie has been, or the whole, a creditable representative of Labour, and those who appreciate Ins services might well have been allowed to reward him, as they propose doing* without having unfounded accusations levelled against them. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The subject of old age pensions may be expected to occupy a considerable portion of the time of Parliament this session. The Act expires fourteen days after the close Of the session, and it will therefore be necessary that Parliament should give it a new lease of life before ceasing from its labours. That means that the whole question of old age pensions will come up for discussion, and it is probable that a good many amendments will be . proposed. There is little likelihood of the scope of the Act being in any degree" curtailed, nor

NATIVE LEGISLATION,

The Native Land Bill which the Native Minister proposes'to introduce will not bo left to the latter end of the session, as was the case last year, but will be brought down at an early date, and every effort made to push it through. The Bill, it is understood, will bo on the same lines as that of last session.

There are many idle rumours in the air concerning the course of action the Hon John McKenzie may pursue in regard to his Ministerial position. It has been repeatedly stated that the Minister of Lands. has_ already resigned, as a consequence of his illness, and his inability to fulfil the duties of his office during this session: of Parliament. There is no doubt that the. Minister cf Lands is too ill to take his place in the House, or to do much that pertains to his official work; but the Minister has not yet resigned, and although Mr McKenzie may ultimately choose to follow that course, and may probably do so.at an early date,’Ministers are sufficiently loyal to their colleague to’ carry on dur: ing the session without his assistance or advice, if Mr McKenzie should express a wish to retain his portfolio. But if the Minister realises that his illness will entirely incapacitate him from further official duties then his resignation may be expected within a reasonable time. The beneficial work which Mr McKenzie has done in the administration of his department in the past entitles him to the sympathy of the Legislature and the country, and wo may bo sure that the Minister will have the utmost consideration extended to him'at the present time.

is it probable that n proposal to make ituniversal would meet with much sup-■ port, although an amendment in that direction is likely to be proposed, but there is no doubt that a clause will be inserted to deal with the case of aliens who have fulfilled every condition for receiving the pension except that of taking out naturalisation papers. Tho Act has pressed very hardly in this respect on a great many most worthy colonists, and there is' a general feeling, it is understood, among members in favour of granting them relief. MINISTERS’ SALARIES. Indications are not wanting that the session will not be allowed to pass without some action being taken in regard either to Increasing the salaries of Ministers of the Crown-or making their burden easier to bear. That could be clone either by taking power to appoint an additional Minister or by adopting the system in vogue in the Imperial Parliament of appointing Parliamentary Under-Secretaries, - and there is just a possibility that both these courses will be adopted and that at the same time Parliament will vote Ministers a more liberal salary for the arduous labours that devolve upon them. That seems a pretty Targe order, but members have for some time past freely acknowledged that the task of administering the affairs of this rapidly growing colony imposes every year an additional amount of work on Ministers, the whole of whoso time is occupied with the affairs of State, and as they 1 are thus, unable to engage in any other business, it is felt that the salaries they . at present receive are inadequate for : the responsible and arduous duties they are called upon to perform.

THE HLN JOHN McKENZIE.