The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18, 1903. REMAINING WORK OF THE SESSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 250, 19 November 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18, 1903. REMAINING WORK OF THE SESSION.

Apparently tho Premier has made up his mind to put up a record for work during the waiving hours of the session. In clearing tho Parliamentary decks for action, he has carried a resolution suspending Standing Order No. 54, so far as it refers to taking no new business at night after 12.30. Tho second reading of a Bill may also be taken after 12.30, if two-thirds of the members present consent. With theso obstacles re-

moved the Premier says he sees no reason why—notwithstanding the pressure of work —tho Session should not closo on Saturday. Wo cannot think that the Premier is sincere in anticipating such speedy prorogation ; he no doubt meant members to understand that if they were good boys and did as they were told, not spending too much time talking and thinking, they might go home early. But there appears to be an inclination on the part of soma members to be anything but complaisant, and they aro not at all likely to allow legislation of a highly important nature to pass on without time for consideration, and opportunity for discussion. It is unquestionably a great pity that the Premier should have sprung' such highly important measures on Parliament at this late hour, but perhaps the old veteran has done so designedly with the, dl> ject of passing his Bills at a stage when members are not inclined to offer a very fierce opposition. Members are nearly all anxious to return to their homes, and are therefore disinellined to prolong the Session by discussing measures at any length. From the standpoint of sound legislation, it is regrettable that the Preferential Trade Bill and Bank of New Zealand Bill should have been held back so long, for both the measures are of a highly important nature, demanding the keenest scrutiny arid consideration. The proposal to strengthen the bonds of unity between the Motherland and the colonies is ono that cannot fail to meet the heartiest approval of nearly every member in the House, but it is certain that the choice of methods for promoting union will evoke protracted discussion. Judging from the concensus of opinion in the House, \v« believe Mr Seddon's Bill will pass, though the people should hesitate and consider before increasing the already heavy burden of taxation. A thorough and exhaustive enquiry into the subject is not possible in the dying hours of the Session, and it is to be hoped that the Premier will recognise the necessity for caution. The Banking Act will also require careful handling), for though the measure is in the main a good one,, the country is nevertheless asked to recognise another great State Department—a Department nominally under independent management, but nevertheless doomed in the end to become a straight-out State institution. Gb.c proposals in the >Bill. have been formulated after lengthy conferences between the directors and Cabinet, and Mr Seddon considers both the colony and the Bank are to be congratulated on the result. We believe the step proposed to be taken would prove distinctly beneficial to the colony, as the interest held by the Government would unquestionably strengthen the Bank, and remove all possibility of a recurrence of the troubles connected with the past history of the institution. While watching the interest of tho colony, Mr Seddon claims to have dealt fairly with the Bank shareholders and managers, and we trust the Bill will meet with the favourable consideration it merits.