LEGISLATION FOR THIS SESSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5655, 28 August 1896, Page 6 (Supplement)

LEGISLATION FOR THIS SESSION.

[Oamaru Mail.) Wo note that some of the Opposition' journals are urging that the Estimates! should be passed as quickly as possible,' and the prorogation hurried on so that! membors may go > to the constituencies. 1 No doubt such a course of action — we might more properly say inaction — would suit the Opposition, but the Ministry are not in the least likely to study the special convenience or advantage of their opponents. For example, it would be not at all a bad tiling for the Opposition to have the promised legislation upon the liquor question left over until the assembling of the new Parliament, so that there might remain to them the hope of a split of the Liberal votes in many constituencies. Such a split proved advantageous to the Conservatives in the bye-election .at Christchurch during the recess, and ( were the Ministry to leave the qxiestion in its present unsettled condition there might be a repetition of the Christchurch business in several other constituencies. It may bo taken for granted that the Ministry will not give the Opposition any advantago which might be gained by neglect to deal with the question this session. They are pledged to pass a meastire dealing with clubs and providing for national prohibition, and they are in honour bound to do so before appealing to the country. To leave the law in relation to bottle licenses in its present unsatisfactory state would also put the Ministry in a most unfavourable light before the country, and it may be taken for granted that they will take the necessary steps to make the will of Parliament upon the subject perfectly clear. An amendment of the Lands for Settlement Act enabling the Government to acquire portions of large estates for closer settlement, instead of being under the necessity of taking the whole, and to prevent what may be termed "family duminyism," is another measure that they must put through Parliament this session.