PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 25, 24 October 1918, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

._4 THE SPEECH TO-DAY

PROSPECTS OF THE SESSION

Parliament will bo opened by tho Gov-ernor-Gcnernl (Lord Liverpool) at 2.30 p.m. to-day. It is anticipated that the Speech will be short, and, as usual, noncommittal. ]t will refer to the favourable development of the war situation, and to the prospect of securing a victorious and durable peace. The references to the legislation of the session will be brief niul vague, It is expected that some mention will bo made of the cost of living, land settlement, finance, and repatriation.

After the formal opening members of both Houses are to proceed to Government House. Parliament will not do any other business during thu day. The Prune Minister's motions with reference to deceased .members and ex-members of the Legislature nre to be taken to-mor-row., It is the present intention of the Government to open the debate- on the Address-in-Keply on -Tuesday evening. The progress of the business of the session will depond largely upon members. . Ministers*, and members generally are desirous of closing the session before Christmas, but there will be no attempt, on the part of Ministers to force the pace. If debates are prolonged, the session can continue into the New Year.

No dates have yet been fixed for caucus meetings. Mr. Massey will meet the Reform members, and Sir Joseph AVard will meet the Liberal members at an early stage of the session. It is poseible that a joint caucus of supporters of the National Government will be held later, but this will depend upon developments connected with the work of the session. It has been, suggested that the liquor question, which is looming large in the minds of members, should be discussed at a joint caucus.

A certnin amount of financial legislation will be required during the present session. The details will be given by the Minister of Finance when he presents his Budget to the House. The Budget is not likely to make its appearance for two or three weeks yet. The Government has authority to raise the next war loan of about ,£9,000,000, but this sum probably will not be large enough to cover expenditure until next session. New Zealand's war expenditure will continue at a high level for some time after the declaration oi peace, and in nny ease ihe Minister of Finance must make his plans on the assumption that the war is going to proceed next year.

It may be taken for granted that no poll on the licensing question will take place before the beginning of next year, Parliament is expected Jo authorise a referendum during the present session, but a certain amount of delay will, be inevitable. Arrangements have 'to be made for the vote of the soldiers at the front and in England, and it is not considered practicable to fake the referendum within a few veeke of the passing of tho Liquor Bill by the House. The publio entrance to the new Parliamentary Buildings during the present session will be from Museum Street. The entrance to the ladies' gallery and the Speaker's gallery will be the door on the easi side of tho old buildings. .The visitors' gallery of the Legislative Council has been reserved for the use of councillors and their lady friends only, owing to the large number of Jiew members who have not yei been sworn in.