Political.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3702, 21 August 1906, Page 3

Political.

The second session ot Parliament opens to-day. The Address-in-Reply to the Governor’s Speech will be moved by the newly-elected member lor Westland, and seconded by Mr C. H. Poole, the member for Auckland West. The Hon. Mr McNab, the new Minister of Rands, speaking recently at Oamaru in reference to his predecessor, MrT. Y. Duncan, said, “ I was sorry that I did not see him before he left Wellington so that I might have had a personal talk with him. I should like to have assured him that I took no part in pushing him out of office, nor did I ask for his removal in any way; quite the contrary. Knowing Mr Duncan as I do, I don’t think he would harbour any auimosify against me, but I should like to have explained matters personally.”

The new Government don’t intend to potter about with construction of branch railway lines until the principal trunk Hues are finished. The three new members of the Cabinet are all so strongly in favour of Legislative Council reform that more than ordinary inte.est is taken in regard to the Government’s probable course of action in this direction, says the 11 Times.” There are numerous vacancies in the Upper Chamber to be filled, and the attenuated condition of that Chamber is not likely to continue much longer. Therefore a bill by which the people’s representatives will in future elect the members of the Legislative Council —as has already been hinted at by the Minister for Public Works —will not only be a novelty, but it will also bring the method of appointment to the Council into line with the trend of public opinion.