Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, DECEMBER 16th., 1918. THE LATE SESSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, DECEMBER 16th., 1918. THE LATE SESSION.

The late session was responsible for a number of acts of Parliament which do not as a whole, come under the category of the work supposed to be rotricted to emergency legislation. Some twenty-four public acts were placed on the statute book and the sequel will show probably their defects, arising from the ill-digested nature of thp consideration given tho various subjects. One of the most remarkable events of the session was the provision in one of Sir Joseph Ward’s bills to eliminate the Post and Telegraph Department from the control of the Public'' Service Commissioners. The Public Service Board was a Reform plank in bygone party days, strongly opposed by the Liberals. In the present nonparty times it is really remarkable to see the Liberal leader thus knocking out this Reform feature in a department where the Liberal leader exercises control. The measure could hardly have reached the House without first being reviewed by Cabinet, and it would be very interesting to know what liad transpired at the conclave which would be presided over by the Reform leader. However, the fact remains that Public Service control by Commissioners lias received its first set back, and it will be of interest to see wliat other Departments of the Public Service will have to say in the near future when the reversal of public policy is fully realise/d. The Public Health Act is a measure which in view of its great importance to the public weal was put through with such haste as to be positively indecent. Although tho Minister stressed the necessity of tho housing question this section of the biH was allowed to go by the board, because of the want of time (?) to adequately deal with the question. This instance alone shows how the public interests were prostituted during the session. In the same way with regard to repatriation, Ministers had not the timo to outline a policy, but simply passed the machinery measure to create a Board constituted of already over-worked Ministers to deal with the subject'. The Board has had its first meeting, and Mr Herries presided as chairman. That gentleman, excellent fellow that he is, has not the outlook or imagination to make a success of the great scheme which must he propounded with a view to re-establishing our soldiers and sailors in civil life. Tho Board, however made a choice of a director and a secretary to which immediate reproach will not bo justified. Mr Samson of the -Discharged Soldiers Department lias been appointed director, and Mr Gray of the Recruiting Board' is the secretary to the Repatriation Board. If these two gentlemen have a fairly freehand there will bo some hope for the returning soldiers being dealt with as men and not at pawns. Mr Samson lias shown an aptness in administration *■« his work for the discharged soldiers, and Mr Gray was a keen and active secretary while recruiting was in progress, and it is to be believed his tact helped greatly in the smooth-running of tho conscription clauses of the Military Service Act. Tho public will come to look no doubt to these gentlemen for the best work in regard to repatriation and tho newly-created Board of very busy Ministers would do well to give the administration by the Director and Secretary as much latitude as possible. There was other legislative acts for the benefit of the soldiers, the value of which can be tested only by the amount of humanity introduced isle their administration. Tho country wants to do the right thing for its | soldiers. This has been said by thousands of public men in New Zealand | off thousands of public platforms, and wherever said the vast audiences have endorsed the sentiments whole henrtedly. Those charged with the administration of the laws of the land to give relief or assistance for the amelioration of the discharged soldier, should bear this broad fact in mind, and realise that if there is to be any straining of the law it is to bo on the side of the beneficiary and not for the benefit of tlio State. The soldier lias done his duty already for the State, without any reservations and now the State must do its duty iu return to the soldier with as few reservations as possiblo. In point of fact there are general objections to the Repatriatin Board as constituted. The returned soldier's object to the person uel as also do the Second Division League, Patriotic Societies, and many public bodies which have given the subject more than passing attention. If this important act of the late session is to be redeemed in the eyes of those most to be considered in tlio matter, its administration will be the test. Its working will be watched very closely, and the outcome of it all will bo awaited with special interest. There were other features of the session to which a reference might bo made, but our space is gone to-day. The session was on the whole a disappointing one in viow of the opportunities of the Government. Lt is to bo hoped such legislation as was passed will justify itself and help to make rather than mar the future of the Dominion.