Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1926, Page 2

There are signs and portents that the session of iWliamcnt will soon he rushing to an early close. Tho necessity for this is the early departure of the Prime Minister for the Imperial Conference, which is to be an event of unusual importance on this occasion. It would have been possible for the Government with its huge majority to carry on comfortably without the presence and vote of the Prime Minister, hut this alternative evidently is not acceptable. The result will be much rush legislation and the omission of much legislation, which it- were well were dealt with and disposed of to have the decks clear for next session. It is evident much controversial legislation will be little more than introduced this session, and then shelved for another year to run the risk of ejectment then. The procedure does not appear either .the best or most economical. It would be best were the session to run its course, seeing that the Government is sale absolutely, and dispose now of such contentious matter as licensing legislation, amendment to the gaming law, bible-in-sehools issue, leaving the way clear for a useful general business session next year. Such important questions as local Government reform bearing on loans and town planning, are being pushed through now, suggesting that once the statute hook for the year shows hulk sufficient to please the authorities—the session will end. Such a course seems to he a question of quantity without quality—-hut it appears to Ik> the actual explanation of what ireally happening. The session has hot grappled with financial issues to any great extent. The debate on the Financial Statement was disappointing in that respect. The Government is living entirely in the present, and there is very little preparation for the future. A rushed session this year, means for a certainty, a very prolonged meeting of Parliament next year when the Government. must do something to justify its existence and make some show at fulfilling all tho promises made at the pre-election time. The difficulties liefore the Prime Minister in that respect promise to he very considerable, and unless the redemption is very complete tho Government will have many sins of omission to answer for.