PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, 3 July 1894, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

L The new Parliament has entered on the work of the s/jsion in earnest, and the Government 'have introd’ C6d ft" extensive bjfi of fare for them to deal with. The Seddoo, Government, judging the division list so far, have come back from the country stronger than ever, and evidently intend using the strongest possible' argument—a huge majority —for carrying their point in in the business they introduce. It was thought that the prohibitionist vote and ticket would be a disturbing element in the hands of Sir Robert Stout, but so far their feeling of allegiance to the powers that be is supreme, and he has been placed in anything but an enviable position. Notwithstanding lps undoubted abilities, we do not think there is much chance of his leading a party of power for a long time to come. He is a second edition, on-a smaller scale, of our G.0.M., who, by the way, is at present being lionised in England, only that Sir Robert has donned water, undiluted, for his motto, in lieu of Sir George Grey’s unborn millions. He will be useful in guiding legislation to a certain extent, but we anticipate that the doughty Richard will prove too many for him, and take the wind out of his sails should he attempt to corner him as ho did with the Licensing Act in the last Parliament, and which Act, in practice, has proved sqch a fiasco. The labour members, of whom so much was heard in the last Parliament, appear to have fizzled out. It is wonderful what > a change regularfeed, in the shape of Government oats, has had on the “ ’orney handed.” The Government arc sticking by their colours, nevertheless, with regard to legislation for the people, having introduced the following Bills ;—Shop and Shop Assistants, Factories Act, Conspiracy, Law Amendment, Lunatics Act Amendment, Industrial Concialiation and Arbitration, Shipping and Seamen’s Act Amendment, Eight Hours, Imprisonment for Debt .Abolition, School Amendment, and Masters and Apprentices. In the forecast of their policy contained in the Governor’s Speech, they promise an active policy with regard to the acquisition and settlement of native land. On the whole, if they can put one-half the proposed measures in a workable form on the Statute Book they will have done well for one session. Our member has not been idle, having toed the mark again on tbe New Plymouth Harbour Board question, and this time has got the assurance of the Treasurer that some relief will bo

proposed in the new Rating Bill which the Government intend to introduce. Our member graciously waived his h> tention of moving the adjournment of the House, so as to go fully into the question, in the meantime, pending the particulars of the proposed relief being laid on the table. We believe the Government would cave in a little rather than have the whole business dinned into them again in our member’s well-known style. We only hope that the Government are not staving him off until the new Standing Orders are passed, when they may have the closure introduced, and he may find himself out of court.