THE SESSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1918, Page 1

THE SESSION.

PAR LI A M ENT MEETS TO-M OR ROW

WELLINGTON, Oct. 21

A session of Parliament, the second in the present year, will be opened on Thursday next. The House of Representatives will meet for the first time in the new chamber, which with some of the surrounding rooms and lobbies is being made ready for the reception >f members. ,

]'t is generally expected that the ses;ion will last about eight weeks, and •lose just before Christmas. But an ■xtension into the New Year is not a .cry improbable matter. There is a •onsiderable amount of work to be lone, and the result of recent by-elect-ons may stimulate criticism of the. National 'Government. Experienced politicians are inclined to expect this result. It appears that the big feature of lie session, apart from what may arise in connection with the war, is going to to the consideration of the Prohibition issue, as raised by the Xational"*Eitieiency Hoard. There are indications hat the Government is likely to ask the House to grant the referendum re•oiumended by the hoard, on the (plosion of immediate Prohibition with compensation for the Trade. Certain matters connected with finance and the soldiers will receive attention. Questions of Imperial importnice will arise from the reports to he made by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance regarding their •ecent visit to London, but legislation m these questions may he deferred. Hie general legislative programme of •lie session is not yet in its final form. '■Several of the Ministers have Hills containing important proposals ,but Cabinet has to decide how far, if at all he ban against “contentious” and “party” can be lifted. The report of the Defence Commission is one of the official papers that •vill come before members during the session. It is expected to give rise to considerable debate. Members of the "Returned Soldiers’ Association, (about forty groups) are Dressing for a fair share of domestic legislation. 'lliey have decided to impress on members of Parliament, individually and collectively, that they are not satisfied with the delay in the formulation of a comprehensive repatriation plan, (including the establishment of a Department with a competent Minister in charge). They are also asking for a payment of the “conscience money”—as it is termed—which the Government saved by skimping tbo allowances of married soldiers dependents before tbe present comparatively liberal scale was put into operation.