Wellington Independent TUESDAY, 15th JULY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3857, 15 July 1873, Page 2

Wellington Independent TUESDAY, 15th JULY.

The session of the Assembly which is to he commenced to-day ought to be mainly devoted to the consideration of | measures of real importance to the colony. Although, as we -said some weeks ago, we do not expect that the Government will propose any great constitutional changes, we do expect that many of the measures which were necessarily postponed last session, because so much time was spent in discussing questions of a party nature, will again be submitted to the Legislature. We do not expect that the session which is about to be commenced will be ended without the importation of a good many subjects which will not necessitate legislation. For example, much is likely to be talked about native affairs ; and the questions of postal services, immigration, and public works will be certain to provoke discussions other than those which will properly be raised upon such practical proposals relating to them as may be made by the Government. AmoDg<»t measures delayed last session wpre those for the reform of the electoral law, the consolidation of various statutes, and for giving security to persons insuring their lives in the companies doing business in the colony, and others of a like useful nature. It has already been intimated that a bill to amend the Native Lands Act is to be introduced, and also bills to consolidate and amend the Gold fields Acts, and to amend various Judicial Acts. Supposing the other measures we have mentioned or alluded to are introduced, there will be plenty of work for hon members, though it will not be showy or exciting. Unless purely political or party discussions are raised, the session ought not, however, to be a long one. It is worthy of note tbat tbe session will be open to-day in new Houses of Parliament by a new Governor, and that hon members will find upon the Ministerial benches a new Government, The old Houses were unanimously condemned as small and unhealthy ; the new ones are certainly ! spacious enough, and, though not permanently finished, they look well, and will, we think, prove to be comfortable. Sir James Fergusson has taken the place of Sir O^orge Bowen as Governor ; Mr Yogel has taken the Premiership, in the place of Mr Waterhouse, who has resigned ; and the Government includes Dr Pollen, who was not a member when Mr Waterhouse resigned, but is now the Colonial Secretary, and leader in the Legislative Council. We understand that the Address in reply to his Excellency's opening Speech will be moved in the House of Representatives by Mr Webb, the newlyelected member for Lyttelton. It is expected v.hat Mr Cuthbertson, who ha 3 succeeded to the seat for lnvercargill, vacated by Mr Calder, will second the Address, but we are not able to state that he will do so. The session of 1873 will be opened at a time when the bulk of the people in almost every part of New Zealand are agreed as to the generally prosperous state of the colony. It would be satisfactory if tho progress of the session

should prove thafc, for a while, merely party spirit has ceased to exist ; but to expect such a result would perhaps be not reasonable. We must be content to hope that, at the end of the session, his Excellency will be able to congratulate the Legislature upon the doing of much good work ; and that the people will be able to feel that such a congratulation is deserved.