The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1929. THE GOVERNMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1929. THE GOVERNMENT.

As a result of the wordy GovernorGeneral’s speech prepared by the Government for the opening of Parliament this wee a, we slum no doubt hear much about length without breadth, and similar remarks designed to convey the impression that there was nothing in the Speech. It will be an old complaint, such criticism, and will recur again as Governments come and ga. 'i no Speech now serves a doubtful purpose, and its presentation and ultimately the rather dreary discussion which follows it, are not oi very material value in shaping the destiny of the country. Now that Sir Joseph Ward lias moved in the direction of attempting to revise the procedure of the House as regards time and duration of sittings, a further reform in respect to curtailing or otherwise dispensing with the Speech at the opening would lie a useful time and money-saving result. Ancient form and ceremony seems to lie very dear to Parliament. Even the Mother of Parliaments follows precedent and practice very closely still, with no sign of a material change from the medieval, so that it is perhaps not surprising New Zealand, regarded as

tlie most loyal of all the Dominions, is not radical enough to take the first step in reforming the old order of lo: m and ceremony. So we have the Speech as usual before 11s. it is a spacious Speech, as might perhaps be anticipated lroin a new Co.eminent expected 10 do ail tilings for all men. 1 lie Prime Minister am. his colleagues liave made it plain tiiat there is much to do, and mo number and variety ol .picst .olls tou. lied 011 in tlie Speech give point and colour to those state? • neats Perhaps the Government feels tbat it must catal .gtie its good iiuentio.i.s for the reason that its life is precarious, and 111 tlie event of a, political catastrophe it is well to have the o.ucial catlogue of what might have deem to refer the .clee.ors to, should untoward circumstances arise, in any case tiie Government must move warily. its power to pass its proposed legislation requires the aimiliary support of one or both of the o.her parties ■ll Parliament. By making a generous list of subjects for consideration, the least controversial can be taken up, and il tlie session becomes too protracted as it is likely to do, the less popular subjects can be deferred to a more convenient season. There are of course certain matters which will not brook delay, and in respect to which the Government must move definitely, even if they arc delicate subjects. Finance and unemployment are outstanding matters, and with these are bound up a revision of the incident - ? of taxation, and the matter of speeding up land settlement. These matters in themselves are perhaps sufficient to account for a session, for all are provocative of much debate and difference of opinion. Sir Joseph will prove a strong lender in regard to finance and the revision of taxation, because he has made the subject of finance generally such a strong point, and the House will be disposed to follow his lead. In regard to the land question there is the old juiberal record to justify what Air Forbes may propose in this matter, and as Mr Forbes is one who b.enelitted by tlie old land tor settlement policy, he is sure to favour and advocate a return to tlie former suc<e slid conditions. Regarding unemployment ‘thei/d is the proposal to prosecute railway construction on a lingo scale to compete main lines. Here there will be again, points of difference, and probably some insular objection to the South Island having extra attention under the heading. But Sir Joseph will make the matter one of policy and will decide to stand or lull on it, in which case the opponents will not be over anxious to cause the fall of the Ministry at this early juncture before it lias had a chance to show its mettle. On' the face of it therefore, the Government will be entering on the session with a good deal of confidence and certainly with a desire and determination to carry through successfully. Thc ( re will be ample work for Parliament and it is to be hoped the session will prove as useful to the country as it is possible to make it with tlie material now provided for discussion.