THE SESSION.

Southland Times, Issue 14505, 25 August 1910, Page 5

THE SESSION.

THE POLITICAL BAROMETER.

A FURTHER READING.

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON. Aug. 24

There is very little fresh to record in the political world. Parliament lias been silting for nearly two months, and very little has been done beyond talk. There are, however, indications that the Government is about to get a move on. and tlie next two or three months should be livelier. , Everyone is looking for the Land Bill. The Premier suggests that it may be such a measure as the Deader ot the Opposition should support. That, of course, spells freehold : but there is an idea abroad that increased taxation and land values will be a very prominent feature of the new Bill, which is expected to make its appearance at an early date. On the other hand it is suggested that the Cabinet is not quite a happy family that is, politically speaking.

Sir .Joseph Ward is manifestly overworked. Some of his colleagues are not apparently taking their full share of the burden, and the singular part of the whole thing is that the Prime Minister seems as unconcerned about the political prospect ns can possibly he imagined. It is difficult to decide whether lie is careless of the political future oi supremely confident of his power to control political events. On the other hand it must always be borne in mind that he lias a decided faculty for getting iiis own wav, and it is quite likely that the past barren weeks will bo succeeded by a period of legislative fertility that will compare more than favourably with many sessions of the past. But it is undoubted that the political outlook Is stormy. No one seems sure of his ground. There is a distinct lack of cohesion in the Government ranks and an absence of camaraderie among Government supporters which may mean anytiling or nothing. But it is (he first time for many years that the tendency lias been noticeable, and to the political observer the barometer has reached a stage when it is well worth watching.