WORK OF THE SESSION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 581, 2 July 1913, Page 4

WORK OF THE SESSION.

# The Governors Sp«ech indkfttae that an extremely buay seseion to ahead of Parliament, tn aeordanee with the announcement mada by the . Prime Minister prior to tha opening of Parliament no aorprieea ware eon* tatned in the Speech, the legislation foreshadowed being on the Hnea laid down by the Government daring the reeraa. The features of the policy which moat forcibly appeal to the King Country are the land proposals and the measures outlined for the purpoae of bringing the native lands hito ' settlement expeditiously. The rating system as applied to native landa ia also to be dealt with and an improvement in method on the present system , is promised. One highly Important feature whieh directly bean on the settlement of the native landi ia tha proper provision for reading, and it Ja to be devoutly hoped thia pbaae of the question will be dealt with in such A , manner aa to leave no room, or misconception. There can be no gainsaying tha faet that tho present state of tha native landa with respect to roading ia in an extremely unsatisfactory position and definite steps should be taken to give finality to a matter whieh vitally affects the settlement of the native landa. No mention ia mada

in the Speech of iny alteration in the system by which thd backblocks are xoaded, or for .giving effect to the Prime Minister's definitely expressed opinion that the Government should undertake the responsibility of the Aain roads. However, -special legislation may not be necessary to give effect to roading reform./ in any case it in to be sincerely hoped steps will ' be taken to ensure that the improvements in system advocated by both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Public Works will be introduced. The j introduction of legislation for the pur-

■■- pose of enabling branch railways to -' be constructed by private enterprise should have the result of freeing the government from the most insistent for -railway expenditure, and means the ability to devote undivided attention to settling the reading difficulties there will be ample justification for a step which is sure to he condemned by political partisans. Everything considered the simply worded' document which will be known : to posterity as the first Governor's Speech of the Massey Government contain i proposals which mean much to the progress of the country. It remains to be seen in what manner the matters of vital importance' to this district will be handled. The new Native Minister has the opportunity of assisting settlement and promoting the interests of both races, and the statesmanlike handling ot the question while of vital importance to this district, is equally in the interests of the Dominion at large.