THE COMING SESSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17712, 25 August 1919, Page 4

THE COMING SESSION.

The public interest in the Parliamentary session, which will be begun on Thursday next, has been heightened in a very considerable degree by the dramatic circumstances that have surrounded the dissolution of tho National Government. The existence of seriously strained relations between the two leaders of that Government was widely suspected In political circles for several weeks past. The fact that the withdrawal of Sir Joseph Ward and Ms followers from the Government found Mr Massey unprepared for this event makes it obvious to the whole body of the public that, whatever the explanation, there must have been an entire lack of cordiality between the two members of the Ministry who lately, with every outward appearance of friendship, represented the dominion at the Peace Conference. And the community is naturally curious to see in what way the open rupture between " tho leaders," betrayed in the abrupt dissolution of the National Government, will affect the proceedings of the session. It is perfectly obvious that, without the eo-operation of the Liberal Party, now resuming the functions of the Opposition, there can be no serious programme of legislation even upon matters in respect of which legislation has boon long deferred. The state of parties in the Honse makes this cloar. If it may be concluded tliat the party allegiance of members has not been affected by the events that have occurred sinco the date of their election, the following may bo said to be tho strength of the parties at the present time: Reform — _ _ _ „ 41 Liberal ••- ~ 1-1 — !Z Z 31 Official Labonr _ _ _ 5 Independent Labour $

It is recognised, howover, that the support given by a number of members of the lleform Party to the Government has become lukewarm. It is probable, also, that there is a certain amount of dissension in the Liberal Party. As wo have indicated, our comparative statement is based on the assumption that u.t a crucial test the members of both parties would vote as they would have voted four years ago. It will be seen that the figures show that the Reform Party, if it maintains its cohesion, numbers one moro than lialf of the House. But that odd member is the Speaker, and is consequently voteless except in the case of a tie on a division. Another of its members is Chairman of Committees and possesses only a casting vote in committee. A third member of the Reform Party is at th© present time absent from New Zealand and will not be back for some weeks. It will be readily appreciated, therefore, that the Government cannot, without assistance from other parties, pass any legislation of moment during the session. Its own party ends would probably be served most greatly by the development of an impasse which would enable it to throw upon the parties opposed to it tlie responsibility for a barren session. But the country does hope that domestic legislation, which has been laid aside in the earlier sessions of the Parliament through the exigencies of the times, will not be wholly neglected this session, and the Opposition is hardly likely, we should think, to interpose any difficulties in tho way of the enactment of necessary measures.