THE SESSION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2183, 23 June 1914, Page 5

THE SESSION

HARD WORK IN PROSPECT THE OPENING DAYS Not many members of the Legislature Hero to bo seen about I'arliamcnt Buildings yesterday, but a number are expected to arrive to-day and very shortly tho buildings will be astir with the bustle and activity which always mark the eve of the session. An early arrival was Mr. G: J. Anderson, member for J/ataura, who reached Wellington yestciday morning, and tho Hon. F. W. Lang, Speaker of the House; of Representatives came down by Main Trunk express ycs«irday afternoon. All the Cabinet Ministers will bo in town by to-morrow, when tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher is to arrive from tho north. The Prime Minister arrived by yesterday afternoon's express. Tho lion. 11. H. Rhodes is duo to arrive today from Christchurcli and tho Hon. W. Fraser from Blenheim. The other Ministers are already in town.

The Prime Minister, interviewed last evening, declared himself greatly pleased with the results of the northern tour from which he has just returned. It was, ho remarked, a very satisfactory trip, although it entailed rapid travelling and hard work. Everywhere ho received assurance of firm support and tho great bulk of the people whom ho met at meetings and otherwise declared themselves perfectly satisfied with tho Government and its work and enthusiastic in its support. As to the general position, Mr. Massey remarked tlr.it tho Government had . unquestionably been gaining strength ever since it assumed oifice and lu looked forward with the utmost confidence to tho election which is to follow close upon the session about to open. At last election the Reform Party allowed some eighteen seats to go uncontestcd. This year it will contest practically every electorate in tho country. .

It is agreed on all hands that the legislative programme laid do-wn by the Government will provide four months of solid work. Parliament will be formally opened by His Excellency tho Governor on Thursday afternoon, and actual work will begin on the following day, when an Imprest Bill-will probably bo introduced. Next week will witness' the opening of the Address-in-Reply debate. Tho mover of the Address will be Mr. E. P. Lee, member for Oamaru, and the seconder Mr. .G. R. Sykes, member for Masterton.

The Legislative Council. Reform Bill, which is to follow closely upon the lines of tho measures introduced last year and the year before, be laid before tlte. Upper House early in tho session. Its prospects on this occasion, however, are materially improved on account of the fact that , the Government has announced ife intention of making sufficient new appointments to the Upper House to secure tho passage of the Reform Bill.

An expected early arrival_ in the Lower House is the Licensing Bill, which proposes to reduce the effective majority nt flic National Prohibition poll from 60 to 55 per cent. One- of the most important Bills to be introduced during the .session is that dealing with local grants and subsidies. It is not Intended to interfere with the existing forms of county and municipal government, but will readjust the system of State grants and subsidies in the direction 6f concentrating assistance upon ',tl\oso local bodies which have development work to carry but., ..The.-.t8J11,,, is regarded as second iii importance- only: to the Legislative Council-'-Reform.-Bill,-and tho Government, it is .stated, is determined to secure its passage as being an essential item-."in tho Reform programme. . A caucus meeting , of the Reform Party is to be held soon after: the session opens, at which not only electoral law nropos'ils, hut other items on the legislative programme will be submitted to the party.