The Wanganui Chronicle "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1902. THE SESSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11756, 6 October 1902, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1902. THE SESSION

Anothbb session of Parliament has run its course, and the country has, in consequence, more or less to be thankful for. Viewed in comparison with the session of the last few years, tlhe one just closed stands out as unique in oaxe striking particular : it has been more like a Parliament than a bear garden. The net result has been that inembtrs have got through the work in three instead of fomr months, for which both they and their coristitu/ents may well be thankful. Someone has said that never a good! man goes but there is a better to take his place. We should hesitate to accept this as a universal trusim, but the experience of the late session seems to warrant its application to the abs'emce from the colony of the Right Horn. R. J. Seddon. To thatboisterous autocrat the fact that Ministers and members have been able to get on with the business of the country withtiut hit) advice and assistance may not be altogether pleasant, yet it is none the less a fact. To those who have nothing but silly, sordid adulation for the Premier, it may sound audacious to say that Parliament has not merely got on without Mr. Seddon, but that it lias got on very much better than it would have, or could have, got on liiad he been present. "It hafi really been a pleasure tot work under Sir Joseph Wardl; no bully, no bluff, no browbeating." To hear such a sentiment as this expressed by one of the staunchest of the Government party, and to note the significant shrug of the shoulders emphasising the remark, is to get a good inkling of the feeling of appreciation prevalent among members who 'have far once been allowed to feel that their souls are their own. Sir Joseph has evidently played his cards well, and has created a decidedly favourable impression among the rank and file of his party. He has, moreover, treated the members of the Opposition to <moi*e consideration than they have of late been accustomed to look for or receive from tlie head of the Cabinet. The House, in return, reciprocated by occasioning him as little worrry and anxiety as was possible under the circumstances. The fighting members kept then* gloves on, and in the absence of the individual responsible for most of their .grievances refrained from attacking his locum ten-ens. It is true there was- not a great deal to fight over. One or two measures of importance have been passed, one of the best being the Railways Superannuation Act, but for the most part the legislative work has been in the nature of patching1 and mending, and a good deal of that ha© been left unfinished. The three chief "puff" linesheralded in the Governor's Speech have gone by the board. The London papers

(or rather some of them) of July 3, prefaced their cable news as to the opening

of the late New Zealand Parliament with headlines similar to these: "Advance New Zealand," "'Referendlum, Anti-Trust' and

State Insurance Bills." But as far as these three measures: are concerned New Zealand has not "advanced," and the more fair-seeing colonists did not expect that she would, espeeiaHy in the closing session of a dying Parliament. Nevertheless, the inclusion of til's fore-doomed trio in the Governor's forecast, served to lend a little spice to the Parliamentary bill-of-fare, and to afford the Government an opportunity for securing a cheap advertisement in the London papers. The chief cam c for regret in the session just close was occasioned by the t«ndtency to extravagance — we fear for electioneering purposes—manifested by the Acting-Premier, through, the medium of the Minister for Public Works, in the s'catter-caeh votes comprised in the Estimates. In this respect Sir Joseph Ward has completely reversed the economical policy enunciated by his chief at the outset of the previous session. This, however, is only another case o£ "needs must when the devil drives/ With a Cabinet still hungry for office, with hungry members anxious to satisfy hungry constituents, and with the precedent and principle of "spoils to the victors" already established and approved, Sir Joseph no doubt felt fully justified in allowing his plunging proclivities to have full play. The electors, however, will do well to heed the earnest warnings of Sir William Russell and Mr*. Allen, and enter a protest at the polls against what can only be regarded; as v system- of vicious extravagance conceived for the immoral purpose of bribing the people. If the people are wise they will refuse to be bribed, and will adopt as their war cry in the coining elections "A Strong Opposition!"