THE SESSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9076, 22 June 1915, Page 7

THE SESSION

POLITICAL PROSPECTS MEMBERS ARRIVING IN WELLINGTON. A few members of Parliament have arrived in Wellington already in preparation for the opening of Parliament on Thursday, but the majority oi the legislators will not arrive until tomorrow. Parliament Horise appears to be practically ready for their reception ' Yesterday the final touches were being put to the various appointments and the members who arrive to-morrow will find their old quarters* spick and span. The new "tube” through the partiallyconstructed Parliamentary buildings to the library block is ready for rise. The newly-arrived members do not appear to have any information to impart regarding the prospects of the session- Indeed, they are in search of information themselves. Members on both sides are disposed to discount tlie chances of a political crisis arising, at least in the-eatly stages of the session; but they do riot profess to speak -with certainty upon the point. A caucus of the Opposition has Been called for Wednesday, arid it is understood that the Prime Minister will meet his followers in council before the end of the week. Possibly these private gatherings will decide what course the business of the session is to follow.

A DIVISION NECESSARY, j

While anything in the nature of a political crisis ,in the early stages of the session : is improbable, members of both parties suggest " that the division hell torist ring Price at, least Before Parliament can settle down to the work that lies before it, A division will [be required in order to give the Ministry a definite status!/, The" Prime Minister; and [ his colleagues claim to possess; a, majority of two, which will be redriced to one when the Speaker has been elected, blit so far that majority is a paper ope, It is dependent upon the vpte of the. ineriißer for the Northern Maori district, who, on hit. public Utterances up ip the present time, should rank as ,an : independent. Only a division on party lines can clear up the position,, in. a constitutional: Way. , : It is possible, of, cotirse, that the evferits of. the first .day or two ■of the session will make this preliminary division' unnecessary, by showing that the Upp'bsitibri is prepared to leave the Governirierit" in unquestioned possession bf the Treasury benches for the present, in view of the special cbnditioris erba-t- , ed bv th’b war, and that, the .Ministry is willing tb let its majority..reifiairi, a; paper brie only. It is gefaerally assiirii"ed that Bbth the party leaders will have Something to say regarding the .delations of parties during the" war period in the early’days of the.’session. Blit if the Gbverriineni is, sure of its'majbritjr it. -probably . will prefer to test it. A Ministry that , holds office by the indulgence of its opponents cannot feel comfortable or look dignified. , ,

"NO CONTENTIOUS LEGISLATION.” “We, do not propose to bring,down any contentious legislation, during the session,” ‘Said the Prime Minister yesterday to.a representative of the ‘‘New Zealand 'Times.” 1 "I assume that the measure? : necessary for providing the revenue .required qn .account, of expendituroj land,,deficiencies arising out tor the war- will not be regarded as. party legislation in-the ordinary sense of the term. Then we have-got to. make prbvision for an improved scale of military pensions and attend to some Other matters connected more or loss directly with the war; Tlie Government hopes tb be. able- to work in line with Australia, hsTaf as the pensions are concerned , in. order to secure a uniform scale: for the ; Pacific dominions. But in any case we will'proceed with our pensions proposals this session; in order to meet .the immediate , needs of the wounded soldiers and the dependents of the killed.” . . . ■ The Prime Minister mentioned that proposals designed to provide land for returned-soldiers would-form part of a Land Bill that would be brought down during the session. He :had-taken steps in connection with this matter already, in' the ■ dirOctibn of ascertaining . what lands were available and how best to arrange "foir .plafciUg men oh suitable Ee’ctibns when the time! came to * disband the'" expeditionary .forte. _ Tno problem was a big one, and ail important one, .and, probably .it could hot be solved at a stroke. The general proposals of the Government for the session would be indicated in the Governor's Speech on Friday, added the Prime Minister. He did not think they would be* found to include any contentious matter, and there seemed ‘to bo nb reason why the session’ should not .be a shdrt one; THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSIV TION. _ ; .' ■. V The leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward) returned from - the south Oh Sun3kyi and was busy yesterday preparing for the work of the session. He had nothing to add to what he had skid already with regard to the political position. HO mentioned to a representative of the ‘ ‘Now Zealand Times” • that a caucus Of the Opposition had been called for Wednesday to consider matters connected With the sessional work. ‘ . . . A question regarding the attitude of the Opposition during the, session, Sir Joseph dismissed with a smile. He had said previously that the Opposition was not going to make any political capital out of the war, or do anything to’ hamper the Government in the conduct of New Zealand's share. of the war, and ho had nothing to add to that just now. , BELATED RETTIRNS.

It is possible that the newly-elected member ■ for Taumarlmui will not be able to take his scat 'when Parliament meets on Thursday, owing to the doldy in the counting of the absentee votes. Sixty-eight absent voters’ jjermits were used in cdnnectifm with the by-electiOn and the papers have to reach the returning officer through the post from various parts of - the Dominion. The delay does hot end ; there, for the final count cannot take place until the unused ballot-papers have been returned, with the prescribed form, from the post offices.. Every post office in New Zealand, had to, be supplied with the papers in-case an absent voter shouio demand one. The system is slow and cumbrous. . ’ If the TaumarunUi election should not be complete, in the official Sense, before Parliament meets oh Thursday. Mr Jennings, will hot be able to take his seat and so will hot have any shaeu ■in the election bt the Speaker. The point would be of great importance if there was Piiy probability or a trial of party strength over the Speakership, but Thursday’s proceedings are likely to be quite uneventful. An Imprest Supply Bill might make its appearance oh Friday, bjit there..will be no need for it, as Parliament 15 meeting earlier than usual, and the Government has supply up to the end of the month.