The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 6000 Weekly. MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1903.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1594, 29 June 1900, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 6000 Weekly. MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1903.

Both Houses of Parliament meet to-day for the purpose of electing one of their number to the Speakership. Speculation is naturally rife as to what is to happen during the session. There is a considerable number of new members, several of whom are pledged to give general support to the Government, but at the same time have claimed to themselves the right to be something more than mere voting machines. There can be no question but that \ the Opposition gained considerable strength at the last election’ both as regards number and ability.

If tho Premier bends to the will of the Trades Unionists on one or two matters there are certain to he hard and stubborn fights. He will, for instance, have some difficulty in convincing tho more reasonable of his supporters that preference to Unionists secured by Act of Parliament is just or politic. Then again, there is the question of land tenure. The bulk of Mr Seddon’s supporters —Trades Unionists and town Radicals, are agitating that no more Government land shall be sold. On the other hand, those who are desirous of settling on the land, the men surely to be considered in the first instance, arc the right to choose the form of tenure shall absolutely rest with them, and further that tho law shall be so altered as to secure to them, if they jtake up land under lease, tho right acquire the freehold at any time Bring tho currency of such lease, Ucouditions having been fulfilled. K these questions are or great rtance and involve political ■■t.-iples which cau wi tho most |Bui consecration by Parliament. stated in reply to iliac freehold

teuui’,o shall no longer prevail, that the Uovernment would probably have some difficulty in resisting the demand of leaseholders for the freehold. This estimate of the strength of his party on this point may be taken as an intimation that he has no intention of attempting such a retrograde movement. On' the other hand he has intimated that legislation will be introduced making the preferential employment of Unionists compulsory. This flagrant injustice to men who claim the right to their liberty will no doubt be stoutly resisted. If there is no backing down from pledges on the part of Northern members, there can be no question but that more rapid progress will be insisted upon with the Main Trunk line, both north and south of Auckland. That tributary lines have been constructed in the South Island before the nr mb line through the colony was -completed is a breach of faith with the Northern people. The pledge by Sir Julius Vogel that the main, line would be completed before any others were touched induced many Northern members to support his borrowing scheme, upon which the railway construction was based. On the matter of granting a preferential tariff to the United Kingdoms Mr Seddon will have Parliament with him, provided he adheres to jlia original proposal that we shjjjf grant preference tq British manufactures without stipulating 7or- anything in return until such time as the pending enquiry which is to be held to consider preferential trade in all its bearings shall have been reported. It will be for members to see that the preference is not granted in the form of additional taxes on foreign goods, hut by the levying of lower duties upon British manufactures. The former system would intensify the protection incubus. There is every appearance that the session will be a long one, and, to use a colloquialism, ‘ There are the makings of many a good fight.’