The Opening of Parliament.

White Ribbon, Volume 9, Issue 98, 1 July 1903, Page 8

The Opening of Parliament.

The new Parliament opened in the last week of June. It is apparent air ady that a long and arduous session is before the House. Many of the questions now offering (or debate will be of peculiar interest to women; and it is gratifying to rememl>er that in ina iy cases the changes brought aliout by the elections have distinctly laiscd the tone of the House, and that the political outlook for social and economic r» form is more than ever hopeful. The questions of tariff and the administration of Crown lands are set expressly forth as leading subjects of debate this session; but it is known that other

legislation of a more direct and personal

character looms large on the honzon. In ihe forefront of this is the crying need of reform in licensing laws. With the scandalous overturning of the p< ople's decision in Bruce and Newtown, and the narrow escape of Port Chalmers in view, it is plain there is a

deadly fight ahead, and it is fortunate that the Temperance element in the House has l»een re inforced. The Bible in Schools Plebiscite Bill will lie watched with deep interest. The Referendum, the Elective Executive, and the Absolute Majority Bills will again m ike their appearance The Constitu-

tion of the Upper House has given wide dissatisfaction for some time, and

efforts will be made to place it on a basis more suitable for a progressive country The terrible spread of the gambling spirit has stirred public opinion of late: the Totalisator Abolition Bill will be keenly delated. The

C I>. Act Repeal will again come tiefore the House. Labour legislation after ting women will apperr, chiefly in

consolidating or amending existing Acts. The Premier's Shops and Offices Bill is the only one of these that has yet roused public debate, and that chiefly on ihe question of the universal Saturday half-holiday. One provision of that Act, howcvei, is undeniably good so far as it goes—that no female assisI L. d is to be employed about a hotel

bar between 9 p.m. and 9a m. More sweeping and satisfactory still is the Abolition of Barmaids Bill that is to be introduced. The scandalous overcrowding of lunatic asylums will be a subject of immediate consideration. It is expected that efforts will be made to remove some of the existing disabilities of women. With all these points in view it is evident that this will be a long and lively session.