OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 37, 5 July 1907, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

—— King Country Matters. (Special Correspondent.) At the opening -of Parliament on Thursday last, Mr Jennings lost no time in bringing before the authorities the several matters of importance to the ;King Country, which had been entrusted to his care. In addition to a number of departmental items the member for the district interviewed the Minister for Public Health with regard to the Taumarunui Hospital. The Minister stated that the delay was unfortunate, but unavoidable, as owing to the pressure of work, the plans had not been prepared by the Public Works Department. Mr Jennings was also the bearer of a number of petitions. One from the Ohura settlers dealing with the Maiora road, Mangakahikatea Valley, the bridge over the Mangapapa I stream, and the punt on the Ongarue river, to give access to the Moetahanga road, was presented to the I Minister for Public Works. When petitions were enquired for in the House on opening day, Mr Jennings was one of the first members on his feet, and a largely signed document from the Ohura settlers was presented. The petitioners pray that they be allowed to transfer from present licensed holdings to occupation with right of purchase, as they were deprived of the opportunity of obtaining the optional tenure as provided by statute. There is every probability of the session being an extremely busy one. The previous sessions since the last general election, have all been broken into by unusual, and disturbing elements, and with the incubus of the International Exhibition removed from the minds of the legislators there promises to be an extremely businesslike air in the House. The illness of the Hon. W. HallJones will be widely regretted, and the various back-block districts may be affected in consequence. However, the King Country has a very able and energetic champion in Mr Jennings, and his electorate is likely to be well looked after.

A feature of the session, which is sure to prove of great importance to the King Country, is the all-round interest already shown in the Native Land Question. The Auckland members, as a body,- are evidently awakening at last to the knowledge that the " taihoa " policy pursued in the past, is altogether against the progress of their districts, and even the Southerners have been stirred into something like interest in the subject. A good strong attitude by the Northern members would have the effect of rousing Parliament }y. The main trouble appears to be the lack of a definite policy, and the courage to pursue it in the face of the many difficulties which the whole question presents. The report of the Native Land Commission is being awaited with interest, but in this connection thp member? representing the different localities affected by the report, will require to be on the alert to prevent the creation of anomalies, as what may be suitable for one district, may not be at all desirable in another, and may lead to infinite troyble in the future,

Mr Laurenson has been mentioned as a likely successor to the Hon. HallJones, and his progressive ideas on the land question will likely find favour with the Ministry.