The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1899. THE SESSION.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 8382, 27 June 1899, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1899. THE SESSION.

The third session of thJe thirteenth Parliament was formally opened on Friday last, when His Excellency the Governor, acting in accordance with the custom prevailing in all the Britr ish self-governjng colonies, delivered the speech from the throne. The speech did not disclose way extraordinary departure beyond the work, usually to be done by aai expiring Parliament, and consequently we are compelled to leave the arena of fact and enter the region of conjecture when anticipating the coarse of political affairs during the next few months. It was thought in many quarters that the Government would again introduce a Local Government Bill, with a view to lessening the cost of the administration of the affairs of local bodies by providing facilities for amalgamation, but the absence of mention of such an important measure in the Governor's speech warrants the conclusion that in so far as such a Bill is concerned the members will not have to task their brains over the question; It would have been somewhat remarkable had any really important proposals been brought forward, as the knowledge that the electors will shortly have to decide upon the merits of their representatives, whether they are worthy of a continuance of trußt, must assuredly render the position of aneanbere uneasy, and cannot" be conducive to- that serenity of mind which legislators ought to enjoy when considering Bills of more than ordinary importance. Mapy people are acquainted with I the causes that may lead to a d jsfolution of Parliament within, a fewiweeks. Of these the breaking up of the Ministry is the most weighty elemc nt in the situation. The Hons. A. J* Cadaian and T. Thompson: have announced their abaoluto withdrawal from the political arena, and iU is quite on the oards that the Hon. ' t Hall Jones will also take a similar stej >. So far as the Minister for Lands is concerned, the electors are aware that > illhealth necessitated hia tatxag ft -trip

to Scotland, with, the object of reinvigoratinghis physical condition. Then the Hon. J. G. Ward, who is a most valued ally of the Government, is away, and as a oonsequenee the Hon. Mr. Seddon will have to undertake the principal share of the debating work on the Government side. On the other hand, the Opposition, members are said to be full of vigor and oombativeness. A few days ago the Hon. Mr.- Rolleston was reported as Baying that he "felt younger than ever," and the other members of the party are equally energetic and pug jnacious. The Left Wing section, which hist year showed signs of going to pieces, has recently undergone s process of reinvigoration, two members who had intended retiring from politics having announced their inten tion of seeking re-election. Taking these circumstances into consideration and bearing in mind the fact that Parliament can only last a fewjnaonths longer, there are some grounds for anticipating an early dissolution. As against this, however, there >s one reason for concluding that Parliament will be allowed to die by effluiion of titme. Members om both sides of the House will be entitled to five weeks' salary, assuming that no dissolution takes place, and as this represents £100 each, they are not likely i to drop it for the prospect of three years' salary very (much "in. the bush/ With many of them it may be questioned whether they would stand a better chance of re-election now than they would in December next; and in view of this consideration it anay be supposed that neither party would be so foolish as to neglect the substance to hunt for the shadow. It is therefore improbable that they will do any: thing to hasten a dissolution, and it jtnay be presumed that the session will last the usual period of from three to four months.