THE END OF THE SESSION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1920, 1 December 1913, Page 6

THE END OF THE SESSION.

4 The progress made with business in the House, of Representatives during the latter end of last week has encouraged the idea that the session may be brought to closc much earlier than was anticipated during the stonewalling _ period. It frecjiiently happens'in our Parliament that a period of obstruction and strenuous fighting on the part of the Opposition is followed by a term of slackness and indifference, and something of this kind, appears to be happening now. The futile stonewalling practised by the Anti-Bc-formcrs seems to have sickened them of tile work of tho House for the time being at least. It remains to bo seen, however, whether the present rate of business will be maintained. There are a number of important Bills still to be dealt with, and some of these, owing to the prolonged periods of obstruction indulged in at different stages of the session, are still in their early stages. Some few weeks ago, in discussing tho work of the Legislative Council, a member of that body made complaint- that in the later days of the session they were often called on to rush Bills through at express speed and without reasonable opportunity for consideration. This is very true. In the House of lkprescntatives Bills-are usually circulated for days and sometimes weeks before members are callcd on to consider them, whereas members of the Council, in the closing days of the session, have Bills thrust- on them almost-at- a moment's notice. Certainly, if tlioy take the trouble to do so they can get copies of the Bills when they are circulated 'amongst members of the Lower House, buttho Bills as amended by that Chamber they have little time to study dining tho end of the session rush. The liefonn Government had expressed the ambitious hope of being able to do away with this annual scramble; but in the face of the obstruction met with, it seems well nigh an impossibility to escape it. At the present time Ihe idea current is that the session will cn'd ill about a fortnight's time, It is difficult to believe, with Hie work ahead, that this is possible; but it is really quite, amazing how measures are disposed of after the homing few- sets in amongst members of Parliament.