THE SESSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 460, 2 July 1902, Page 3

THE SESSION.

PARLIAMENTARY PROSPECTS,

Speaking of the prospects of the session, tho Post special says the legislative piogramme outlined by Sir Joseph Ward at Winton tho othor day does not give promise of a very exciting session, nor is it generally understood that any effort will bo made to produce a statute book of more than ordinary dimensions. The programme, however, will probably bo supplemented by discussions on matters oven moro interesting, and.on subjects which are of great concern to thoso who take an intorest in tho administrative work of the Government, for instance, tho last has by no moans been heard of the Royal visit of Juno last year. Evon at the ond of tho session of 1901 complaints were made as to tho failure of tho Government to make payment for expenses incurred in connection with tho reception and entertainment of the Royal guests, and considerable comment will be made on the fact that many of theso obligations are still undischarged. Matters in connection with tho volunteers will also come up for discussion. The list of grievances in this connection is already assuming formidable dimensions. Volunteering, it is alleged, has, through the inaptitude and annoying redtapeism of what j is now known as “ Tho New Zealand War Office,” alias tho Defenco Department, received a decided check in some parts of the colony, and it is oven hinted that tho feelings of some prominent volunteers have been so outraged by tho inattention and laxity of officialdom that they will bo content with nothing jless than a Royal Commission of inquiry. The agitation is already assuming definite shape, and should it be persisted in some interesting debates may be anticipated. It is probable, further, that Ministers will bo afforded a lively time on the subject of tho appointment of officers to our various contingents. This subject is, of courso, not an easy one to handle in the face of the reputation earned by “ our boys " at the front, but if tho tales of jobbery and incompetence are founded on fact, and are given forth to tho world, tho pages of Hansard will contain a large quantity of highly instructive, if not diverting, reading. If°subjocts such as theßO are thoroughly threshed out, the absenoe of important legislation way bo overlooked,