THE COMING SESSION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 99, 3 May 1913, Page 4

THE COMING SESSION.

Referring to the coming session of Parliament and the work to be brought forward, the Wellington “Times” says the Attorney-General, Hon. A. L. Herdman, and Hon. H. D. Beil, Minister of Internal Affairs, the two legal members of the Cabinet to whom their colleagues look for guidance and assistance in framing their measures, have been in Wellington almost continually through the recess, and they have together with the Law Drafting Department, devoted a great deal of time to the preparing of Bills to lie submitted to Parliament by themselves and their colleagues during the approaching session. Whilst the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Works, and the Minister of Railways have been visiting all parts of the country—a necessary duty in the case of anyone who has tlxe administration of public works and railways—Mr Herdman and Mr Bell have stuck to their desks in Wellington practically continuously. In addition to doing much of the work of their colleagues, they have drafted, or given instructions for the drafting, of numerous Bills. The continued presence in Wellington of the two Ministers named has enabled the Goverment to have quit© a batch of Bills ready for immediate work when the House meets. These Bills have been circulated amongst the Ministers and will be finally dealt with by Cabinet at an early date. Amongst the measures which it is safe to assume are included in the budget now under consideration is the promised Bill to carry out the remainder of their land policy, and proposals dealing with arbitration and industrial disputes, education, and the Public Trust Office. One of the most important provisions of the last-named measure is sure to bo one (in accordance with the recommendation of the Commissioners) for the strengthening of the Public Trust Board by the addition of the Valuer-General and two members of wide business knowledge and experience Then there is the Legislative Council Election Bill, which was postponed from hist year .on its committal stage. It, is now. pome six or seven weeks from the, opening iff Parliament,' and ,Mr Herdman and M r Bell have already in a very torward state much work for members.