The Star. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1876.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2685, 3 November 1876, Page 2

The Star. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1876.

Thij,., Sessioji of 18^6 was brought to a close 'oti Tuesday last, when Parliament was prorogued by Commission, without any Vice-regal speech being delivered. This is, we believe, a circumstance without parallel in New Zealand history, nor can we recall any instance in another Oolony, where a similar course has been followed. To what the peculiar method adopted in the present case is attributable, is perhaps, not to be precisely ascertained, but it certainly cannot be pleaded that the Session was so barren of results as to suggest nothing worthy of remark. A radical revolution in the constitution of the country, contemplated in 74, talked over in '75, has in '7d been earriod in to efFect,and has now become irremediable, supposing even that second or third thoughts shpulp^iudine Abolitionists to retrace their steps. It has been suggested that thereason why Ministers neglected on this occasion to fire off the usual vaticinations and congratulatory nothings through their noble mouthpiece, was that they were rather ashamed of their work than otherwise, and afraid to prophecy of its success. A more charitable supposition is that they oould find no opportunity in the noise of conferences, and fuss of amendments, with which the Session concluded, to compose a suitable speech, and as it seemed likely that there wonld soon be no Houso to prorogue, that they judged it best to do the thing while it was still possible to do it in off! ial form. That the Oolony, after having borne the tedium of the late moat wearisome of Sessions, should have been deprived of the usual oracular utterance from its Governor, was not a very graceful proceeding, however cheerfully the people might consent to forego the doubtful advantage. The fruitpof the late senatorial deliberations are embodied in 102 Acts, the names of which have appeared in our telegraphic columns. Of these no less than 64 relate to certain localities only. The chances aro that in future Sessions the local legislation will increase rather than diminish, as tho Colonial Assembly will then, have to dispose of tbe hundred and ooe matters which, previous to the present year, were dealt with by the Provincial Councils. Seeing that for years past the work of the Asaembly has been very largely " scamped," many matters which should have been long ago exhaustively dealt with, being wholly passed over, or dealt with in a perfunctory manner—' seeing this, who can reasonably bobe that the businesp.of ; the country! in tjio ma|ter of legislation; wil_l be,mor^ efficiently dealt with now that ita

Amount, is to be increased by all tbat waß bitberto undertaken by the Provincial Councils? Of tbe Government measures brought down, many have been shelved, and others so mutilated as to be scarcely recognisable. Amongst the more important in the former class are the Friendly Societies Bill, the Native Lands Soles Bill, the Coroners Act Amendment Bill, and two Public Works Bills. The Counties Bill, and the Waste Lands Administration Bill, were materially nltered, the proposed generalisation of deferred payments, and the clauses relating tb Canterbury runs being excised from the latter, and the former having be^n rendered permissive, while the Chairmen of Councils are to be elected by the Councils. The reduction of the amount which it was originally proposed to borrow to one million, is another important change in the policy announced at the commencement of the Session.