THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1923, Page 1

THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK

SESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS DISCUSSED. BILLS IN BACKGROUND. (Lvttelton Times). AVELLIXGTON, Juno 7. Legislation is not this first thing of importance about the coming session. 'J lie Government is no doubt prepared with a programme, but it has given most attention to the Budget and the spreading of long-waited ooiicessioiis now made possible by improving revenue. From the Government’s point ol view, tho Budget is tho outstanding item on the sessional programme, but tho balance of parties was so narrow that this element is of far greater interest to politicians and public alike. An analysis of the situation produces a very striking result. Air Alnssev won his last session’s tests with a majority of three, including three members who are admittedly not pledged to the Reform Party. Theirs is a qualified allegiance. During the coming session the Government will be obliged to appoint a Chairman of Committees, a Parlanientary post next in importance to that of tho Speaker. The opinion was current among members lust session that the Government dare not go outside its own ranks again in distributing Parliamentary honours, and Sir John Luke has a fairly strong claim to consideration for the Chairmanship. However, his appointment would reduce the Government majority when in emmittee to exactly two at

best, assuming that the Opposition will grant tlie Hon 1). IT. Guthrie a pair, a matter which is quite uncertain. The Government refused to grant a pair to the present Leader of the Opposition when he took a long health trip to America, and history may repeat itself with a change of personnel. Slieh a contingency reduces tlie Government majority to one when in committee which is an important part of the work of Parliament, when the House deals with detail of policy, and may easily wreck a Bill. Experience shows that it is impossible to maintain full numbers in the House during the winter, for legislators are only human, and the average age is high, with a consequent increased liability to absence through ill-health. Thus the Government whips will face no sinecure.

CABINET CHANGES. Before the session opens, tho Prime Alinister will consult his party regarding redistribution of portfolios, and the appointment of new Ministers. The candidates are so numerous that it would he mere guesswork- to indicate even the possibilities, for everything depends on what must he done to maintain the solidarity of the party—and tho threatening influences of a personal character will only he revealed to the caucus. However, the proposal to appoint Air Coates Alinister of Railways. and relieve him of all other portfolios, excepting that of Public Works, is almost certain to he approv-

Auother interesting eh an go will he the passing of the Public Health portfolio to another Alinister, probably Sir Francis Bell, so as to enable the present Alinister of Health, tho Hon C. J. Parr, one of the lawyers of the Cabinet, to take tlie portfolio of Justice. This will meet the objections which lmvo often been raised to this portfolio being held by a nominated member of the legislature. POINTS IN THE PEOGRAALAi E. An understanding will have to he secured at an early date regarding the representation of New Zealand at the Imperial Conference in October. This is obvioulsy a matter for careful handling by the Prime Alinister. who will be obliged to make a wider appeal than that of party if lie is to he released in time to roach Hindoo for the opening of the Conference. The official Opposition attitude has not yet been disclosed. hut it may he taken for granted that the party led by Air Holland will strongly object to any curtailment of the session if it means the neglect ol many limiters which they considered should have been handled at the short session of February. Air AVilford, who did not countenance the “hold-up" on that occasion, will he more critical in the near future, Lei-aiise he urged the Government to prepare lor ibo coining session legislation for the revision of the v.lmle of the pensions system*: housing with a substantial linancial provision; reform if tin- iTeetoral system: revaluation of soldiers’ lands: creaiio.i oi an A open I Bard for the pul:-

lie service: osl.ibbshmvu! ol a H;:u • hank and agrii nil urn! hanks; medical and d.-nlal treaimi :ii for hacMd-uk-soiii !•■ ; revision ( ■ upei annual i a gram : and provision to relieve luieniploy men t. . l The reports o. s-K-e.a! investigation I con ini! ti cs in retard i > .-aimer sett! ■ I mtl.l h ndd l a available :■! an e.U'l\ I dal-. n;al the Government will no j duo! : e the l»t|de luiot lie; s-sly oi [ V. liter: dawn value quite • uhstanliall.v. It vr:! I a Is:: hav" !■• saU-.y '.he limit ' that - ■!!leneo l U e Remaining soldier ■ wa i d. ire to go mi lie buid lots not 1.-ei, cempl-iely a’-am’-ned. T),- “..a , ( ~ell-el Bdl. which is tie Leg mile discus-ed hv the sec. d,.j ill. rag'aim Hie Dauiiiiion. will he in! rodnred i tlie Aiim-i-'i <>f A'! l '- s ultmo. and !• like !v t i <au*e !< nnlhv dismission ||! '■ only in ihe House, but before the S •!<•• t Com mi 11 e to which It. will in doubt he referred,. One part of the moratorium, lit"! ; ! '- laliiig to deposits over FRY will. inort 4 _ r :i;/'' r.iitl tlt'posii.- comjn'.nio'. out at the end of dune, but there appears to lie no demand for the .• comp,aniie. fiT Luther relief, m'd Hie mam moratorium continues under the l-r amending Statute until December 31st. 1921. so that legislation of 'b |s « h"' is not urgent. Rent restriction will. ihe fuvtot r considered 'tlie apprenticeship problem will come up hv the introduction of a Bill under control • : Um A! ino! r of t .aboiir. This will I-' !'. : rr.nl to tie Lahoin Bills Committee, and as u is re pome. I tin,', invesigaiions by a small eommii'.ee appointed i y •’ recent - o.iKre.um on lids subj.xl have i.'-vlos-’d i.....c , tin wav of problems than solutions it iv,av he safely prophesied that this nice sure will -M m the U<t M pn- i dimity tl.t- vv " £ * l^ «•-‘•inn. , . . i. ;, r ,U- thorndi in order o, imp.iut-nG-o it-’ is’ comes the Budget, wii"h its prospects of penny postage, n-.'ison of telephone rates nmj freight com -m’. end nut ■ > for tlie general taxpayer. H- win a the most in.- • •' •nog document of to, session.