HEAVY WORK.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14015, 23 June 1913, Page 5

HEAVY WORK.

PARLIAMENT’S PROGRAMME FORECASTED.

THE FATE OF THE TARIFF,

(By Telegraph.—Special to Hebald.) WELLINGTON, Juno 21. Parliament is about to commence what has long been recognised under the triennial . system as the working session of its brief existence. Old hands in the lobby say that the first session after an election is useful mostly as a moans of adjusting new men (usually one-third of the whole House) to their strange environment’ while the third session finds members doing their work, anxious about what is goiiig’ bu among their rivals in the constituencies," and concerned only to get through thesir, legislative duties quickly with the minimum of trouble. So the middle session is the effective one, always the longest, and this time T predict, destined to be close upon a record for duration. Two important elements will make for the lengthening, the first being the Government’s anxiety to put a fairly long ftst of measures upon the Statute Book. This - is the Massey Government’s first real opportunity, and if they miss it there 1 will be little electioneering value to them from measures, however excellent, passed in the fore-election session. On the other hand, we find an Opposition numerically far stronger than the New Zealand Parliament has been used to for many years, and it is not an extreme statement to say that the new regime has given its opponents a fair amount of material for effective criticism. On the floor of the House possibly there will not be serious opposition to more than half the Government’s legislative programme, but the talking, opportunity for a live Opposition will be too good to be missed. TARIFF PROSPECTS POOR.

lu outlining the prospective legislative programme I commence paradoxically by suggesting what will not bo passed. Reform of the tariff has been promised, and the Minister of Customs has been busy getting ready for it. This reciprocity treaty with Australia is scarcely likely, to come forward now the Usher Ministry, which arranged it with the Now Zealand representative, has been defeated. Our customs law is in a complicated state, urgently in need of consolidation and simplification, and the Minister has a Bill ready which will improve the position. This may get a chance, but 1 feel confident that the Oovornmeul will not jeopardise its general legislative programme by the introduction of tariff questions, for onco the tariff is touched nothing else can bo looked at in Parliament for six or eight neoks at least. Mr Massey, however anxious to carry out an election pledge, will scarcely risk the experiment. LAND QUESTIONS FIRST.

Land legislation comes first on the Government’s list. Tho law in relation to pastoral leases is to be amended considerably, and it has also boon found necessary to make alterations with the object of moro easily working fjir Joseph Ward’s land settlement finance scheme. Allied with this subject is that of rates on native lands. The Government is sympathetic to a proposal that Maoris should take the same responsibility as Europeans in respect 1 to local rating. The Native Minister has declared for tho principle, and tho Prime Minister has long maintained it. .Changes requiring legislation are also to bo made in the administration of the Native Lands Department and tho Land Courts. THE LIVELIEST SUBJECT.

Council reform provides the most interesting topic of the session. Probably the new appointees to the Upper House will have a 'three years’ tenure instead of seven. The Government having failed to get its Council Reform Bill accepted by that body, Mr Massey will introduce it this session in the Lower House. Once through the people’s Chamber, it will have a backing which wall secure for it a smoother passage through the Lords, but if it strikes heavy weather in that usually placid atmosphere. no doubt the Government will enforce the elective system by a liberal application of the nominative system to ensure success, a process somewhat reminiscent of tiie buying up of rotten boroughs to get the English Electoral Reform Bill through in 1832. LABOUR LAWS.

A consolidation of the labour laws is well up on the Government list. It is considered that too, much duplication and overlapping of functions between the Arbitration Court and Conciliation Councils exists, while Trade Unions’ power to strike is to be hedged round with.limitations.. Probably’ a. system oi Wages Boards as a good working compromise'between- the present bodies will he evolved for' Parliament's considura'R’n' FARMING.

Farmers can look forward to the session with interest, because their special affairs will receive a good deal of tinGovernment’s attention.- It is intended to completely recast the Agricultural Department, with its many subdivisions, and nlaco everything under the control of a' Board, of ’ Agriculture, including directors nominated by the. farming community. It is thus honed lo secure more effective co-operation between ■ the divisions and reduce wasteful ot erlajiping to a. minimum. Legislative sanction will a 1 so be asked for a imw system of Agricultural Colleges to ho- brought forward by the Prime Minister. A prominent Cowu-numiit mom her- i'Mr E. Newman) is visiting Australia for the special' iM.riiosn of observing how the Onnmon Area It if has tackled the .question of agricultural ■ education.- • AN ANCIENT FRI&ND.

Local government reform is promised, but Parliamentarians have read this annually for a decade, though the Bill is not vet statute law. Had the Mackenzie Ministry survived, probably a workable Bill might have boeil evolved as\a result of Mr G, IV. Russell’s painstaking labours, but unless the Massey Government is prepared to adopt that measure almost as it stands, a Local Government Act of a comprehensive nature is scarcely

likely to become a fact in 1913. The Government has been well posted in regard to the system of subsidies to local bodies in New South Wales, based upon the general rate, levied by thelqcal authority and some sucli system will, be-proposed this session. It may do away with some of the incessant clamour for grants, especially if the Australian system is followed to the extent of fixing the subsidy quota triennially.

GENERAL. Among other' matters on which the Government intends to legislate this session are electoral law (the second ballot will disappear), Public Trust Act, an amending Immigration Law (increasing power to restrict immigration of families which include feeble-minded children;. Shops and .Offices Act Amendment, and State Guaranteed Advances Amendment (widening the Department’s powers so as to grant advances to associations of fruit growers).