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Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1926, Page 2

The first session of the new Parliament has been, undoubtedly, a busy one. There has been much legislation, and a great deal of it lias been of a rush nature. The session opened leisurely, and according to precedent, matters moved decorously. The usual full dress discussions took place, and much time was given to discussing generalities, for which n text was found in the address-in-reply, annual statements and reports. Tin's presumably had an exhausting effect on members, for when the legislation was brought down, rush tactics began to assert themselves. It is not too much to say that the legislation this year has had scant consideration so far as the legislators are concerned. The value of the hastily made laws rests on the instructions given by Ministers to the law draughtsman, and the ability with which that overworked department has expressed itself. In the latter days of the session when the departure of the Prime Minister for the .Imperial Conference loomed nearer, grea't, in fa at-, indecent- haste was shown. The Second Chamber passed acts at the rate almost of one a minute discounting the value of the Legislative Council as a “revising’’ Chamber. Some one with a rubber stamp could have done equally well at a fraction of the cost. But with the constitution as it is the Legislative Council will pursue the very even tenor of its wav practically a registering machine for the will of the Government, whose fiat creates the membership. The most inportant matter for the country is finance and it- does not appear that Parliament did very much to set its house in order in that respect. There was no attempted revision of the incidence of taxation, nor (no less important) any serious revision of expenditure. The usual large bill of costs for administration was passed as swiftly as possible, taxation was allowed to remain at the former level; some additions were placed on the customs list covering foreign importations, which should bring a little relief to the Treasury—relief evidently much needed, for the usual additional borrowing proposals bobbed up again. The rush with which legislation was passed did notafford time to become familiar with the

new measures, and it is difficult at tin’s short notice to estimate the legislative value of the session. The volume of statutes produced, however, should be bulky, and there will be quantity ii there is not quality. To that extent the Government made good use of its majority, hut less law making on more considered lines, would he preferable. The Government, however, is master of the position, and it lias this consolation, that if defects are discovered, as they will probably, the required amendments can ho made good in a year's time.