THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1923. PARLIAMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4524, 7 February 1923, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1923. PARLIAMENT.

Parliament is supposed to meet today, and though there are many who anticipate sensational developments, it is 'hardly likely that anything very extraordinary will occur. At a later date the Government may experience some difficulty in passing legislation ; but the forthcoming brief session is not, calculated to give anything more than a brief indication o,f the ultimate attitude of the parties. Well-inform-ed men in Wellington anticipate that the present session will be very brief, and almost entirely restricted to the putting through of urgent matters. When the session proper commences, however, there is not unlikely to be an immediate trial of strength. This will be awaited with interest, though it is beocming evident to the most unbiassed lookers-on that the Reform Party will, though they may experience some little difficulty, be able to “carry on.” If that is so it is obvious that tiic Government will find itself compelled to exercise far more caution than in the past, and give much more - careful consideration to t'he wishes of the people. The presence of strong opposition will undoubtedly tend to an improvement in the Government of the Dominion, giving greater possibility for the enacting of sounder legislation than would be the ease if the Opposition were small. It will constitute a test. Strong men welcome opposition, and are seen at their, best when they are “up against it.” But. should there be a dissolution, there is no reason to suppose that it will be impossible to pick out a satisfactory Government after the shuffle. Every man and every government can be replaced, and to every government there is generally due some credit for at. least a portion of the legislation passed by them. As things appear at the moment, however, there is no material evidence indicating that the Reform Party will be unable to carry on. The secretiveness of the elcctoj’ who announces his intention of voting one way and really votes in another applies to many new-ly-elected politicians. Any summingup of the political position must, therefore, at present b.e speculation.