WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1933, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS

ODDS AND ENDS

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

(Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, August 18

It was announced a. few days ago that the Cabinet had decided to recommend His Excellency the Governor General, to call Parliament together for the transaction of business on Septemer 18 next, practically thirty days hence, when the Prime Minister expects to have a couple of days in which to review the happenings of the three or four months of his absence from the Dominion. Last year’s main session began on September 22, and continued, with a seven weeks’ break, over Ghi'istnas and New Year, until March 10, leaving Mr Forbes a little time to P|Ul> his house in order before leaving for the Home Country with his bevy of associates and companions. Whether or not he will find it practicable under the existing conditions to dispose of all the problems that are awaiting him within the three months to which he aspires remains to be seen.

The morning paper, referring to this point without malice, does not mince matters. “There is a general feeling,” it says, “that while the emergency conditions persist there should be no letting up. It does not require a long, memory t 0 recall the definite damage to business psychology caused by some recent sessions, and particularly the last which concluded early this year. Public comment was made on the fact at the time and the Prime Minister spoke in endorsement of the complaint. In addition, there are organisations all over the country which are casting critical eyes on the administrative and (legislative mach--ire, Ihe ./truth it- that the Co<it'ou Government to-day is not so popyilar with the general public at is was a year or so ago, and a grave split in i“e party would not be a particularly surprising development before the expiration of the present Parliament.

It would seem for the time being that the most active ■ dissatisfaction with the Government comes from the ; Auckland province* where Mr Forbes.and his colleagues ; are held in a large measure responsible for .the growth'of disgruntled Labour, Mr Forbes has the advantage at present -of being away from the Dominion; and is sure to be away for another month, with the result- that Mr" Coates, as- his- locum tenens, ■ has to carry an additional burden of a very tiresome character. It is scarcely necessary to say that, all the messages that;have passed between, (lie Prime Minister and his locum ten;ens have not been submitted to the public. That is not the habit of the big. men entrusted with -the affairs of the country. There, is a story, about, however, tq the effect that Mr. Forbbs and Mr Masters are custodians of a financial movement that, will gladden, the Dominion. . v.-r: >:.■ ;

Under the reading of ‘‘Prograornate: of Reform,” the good people of Hamilton are proclaiming the formation of a NeWZealand Political Federation organisation,, pledged to a broa ff progra in m e of political action and Parliamentary and ecoixomic reform; “The; Federation, which,” so ofh promoters say, “has been in existance - for several months, has drawn up a programme comprising reform in the system of Government, review of taxation axid expenditure administration, a practical method of dealing with unemployment, reforon or finance and currency and consideration of the outlook for young people.” The details, so far as they have been anlxounced, appear to rest on the basis of Dr Campbell Begg’s wider formation; but so mar no harmony between the two undertakings appears to have announced.. The perils of the pioneers of such enterprises os the multipicatioio of adventures which may starve -oiie another. Such.catastrophies are cropping up everywhere.