THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1902. THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 192, 19 April 1902, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1902. THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

It is always the unexpected that happens in politics, and it is never very safe to prophesy until after the event. Nevertheless we think that we can claim that as a rule our political predictions, so far, have not often been very tar out, and we propose now to say a few words as to what will probably happen next session of Parliament, which it is announced will begin on Ist July next, some ten days or so later than usual. Sir J. G. Ward will of course be Acting-Premier, but his hands will be pretty tightly tied, and he will have little or no power to do more than conduct the routine business of the office. Mr Seddon intends to keep all the strings in his own hands, and nothing of a novel kind, no new departure, nothing of great importance, will be allowed while he is away. The Coronation takes place somewhere about the 26th June. Mr Seddon should be in London at least by the end of May, even if he goes by the Capetown route, and may be expected to leave London not long after the ceremony takes place. He will probably be in New Zealand again not later than the middle of August, and he himself will deliver the Financial Statement. It has often been said and suggested that Mr Seddon will not return to the Colony, that his services to the Empire have been such that certainly some high and important position will be offered to him. It may be that some office of dignity may be placed within his reach, but if so we venture to prophesy that it will not be at once announced ; that the hon. gentleman will return to New Zealand, that he will remain for the December elections, and that if he accepts any offer of a position that may be made to him, the fact will not be made public nor will he take up the duties until the next Parliament has been elected. There is, of course, to be a conference in London of the various statesmen "from all parts of the Empire who will be there at the Coronation time. Mr Seddon has already stated the proposals or suggestions he intends to bring forward. No doubt there will be long and weighty discussions on questions of trade relations, defence, and other important matters. Our Premier will be expected to tell ua something as to the result of these conferences when be returns and meets Parliament in August. He may be able to say much or he may be able to say very little. If on the topics discussed there was practical unanimity and there seemed no particular difficulty in getting the ideas agreed upon carried out, he would doubtless be able to discourse freely as to what was said and done. If, on the other hand, there was any considerable divergence of opinion and difficulty was anticipated in securing the agreement of the people to the conclusions come t<y by the conference, or it was necessary that Britain should take the firsl steps in regard to any projected new arrangements, probably the tongues of the various colonial Premiers would be, to a large extent, tied. It is rather soon yet, perhaps, to anticipate what conclusions the assembly of British and colonial statesmen will come to on the various questions coming before them for discussion, but later on wo may perhaps venture a little prophesying on that subject. As to what issues are to go before the electors in December next, a good deal depends on what transpires when Mr Seddou and the rest of the magnates are in London. It may possibly be that the people will be asked to give their opinion on, a scheme, or part of a scheme, for the establishment of new I elations between the different *

parts of the Empire, although perhaps matters would hardly have arrived quite to that stage by so early a date as the eud of

fj.i i'S tl:<* r.'>: of next 1

session iri cuiict.-mcd, ila-re will, be doubtless a good deni of‘speechifying by uiembeis, not HO much for the edification or convincing of each ollmr ns for the im-

pressing of their consul m-acies. There will bo uo important measures passed, though no doubt ;r number will be introduced by the Got eminent, not with an idea of getting them passed, but for the purpose of appealing to the country to support them as their policy measures at the general election. We have now sketched out,tiie probable course of next

session, mid we believe our predictions will not be far from the truth. We may add tint assuredly the Gover iimcut will he attacked far more severely and bitterly than they have hitherto Ucen io this Parliament and

that probably from two quarters, ihu c-xlicmo Couriervutivos and the Radicals—the latter probably

being the most scriotiri

WAIMATE V URLIO LIBRARY

Ox Thursday, with very litile ceremony, thci c was re-critablisued

in Waimale au institution oi inorii tillable bun flit to the iuliabit-

ants of any (own, in the form of tho i’nblic J .ihrary. Through and evil limes and with varying fortunes, .it has weathered many long years and now stands,

ns is titling at this stage ol: the town's prosperity, on a higher level than has boon before

attained. This is due in a groat measure to the earnest labours of the committee, who deserve the utmost praise for their efforts to provide the town with a libiaiy suitable to all tastes. All that remains to be done is for the

public to give their support and second these efforts, for without subscribers the best of libraries must, fail. The wisest man who lived said that ”Of making SxKiks there is no end, and that was when all copies were written out. Now, with printing and all its improvements a perfect hood of books is put on the market every season, and some at least of these must be purchased. Without money the institution will jiot be able to sustain its and we appeal to the public to recognise this and to keep .their subscriptions paid up to date. Personally we, would like to see the library taken over by the Municipality, and paid for out of the rates. Of com sc, some who

•,-ievor patronise tlie institution •xvctiUl o I)je ct,b ut m u nicipalistition is the only way of reaching these and making them pay their share towards keeping up what should be a great educational factor in any community. Besides, when the burden was borne by ali, there would only be a fraction of the present subscription for each to pay. and with the county included a magnificent libraiy could be maintained, even in Waimate. with benefits on the intellectual life of the people that are incalculable. It is but now beginning to he generally recognised that the only way to reach the great mass of the people and form their ideas v ou broad questions is b} r means oi ■education, by placing before them ihe Mores of knowledge gleaned by great men of past and present ages. In the majority of cases books are the only medium, and to do any good these must be freely before the people. A municipal library, supported by the people (through their representatives), for themselves, ensures all an opportunity for reading good books, otherwise unobtainable except at a considerable outlay. It may be said that at present the library supplies the need. Granted; but where subscriptions are optional few are paid. Were the cost of maintenance raised by the rates people would see that they got what they paid for and the ultimate object, that of rostering the intellectual life would stand a greater chance of attainment. People have not yet learnt to look to the municipality in the same way as to Parliament, though their functions are essentially the same, but on a smaller scale.. This is a subject that will bear returning to, meanwhile we commend both the broad principle and pur lost [ illustration of it to the thoughtful consideration of readers.