The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1905. THE COMING SESSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7854, 21 June 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1905. THE COMING SESSION.

!n the speech delivetvd by Sir Joseph Ward at Winton on Monday there is foreshadowed a considciable programme of legislative work for the session which will shortly commence. It is satisfactory to note that both roads and railways sire to receive larger voltes than wero passed last year, and-as Sir Joseph h a s expressed the opinion that the North Island main trunk line should tie regarded as the one line of the greatest national importance, .we may reasonably infer that its progress is to be expedited in a way that its' importance demands. With regard to roads, we have already strongly, urged on the Government a more vigorous policy on "this vital question, and it is with pleasure :we learn that a larger programme, involving; the expenditure of half a million for reading, is to bo submitted 1 to the House this session. There will lie no opposition .to this, unless it is on the score of the amount being inadequate. There may probably be a strugglo by the representatives of different needy districts for a larger share of the spoils* than has been assigned to them, but it is out of all reason to expect either that the Government could possibly meet all requirements, or that each district will bo satisfied wf th its allocation. Thore ware several matters referred to by Sir Joseph Ward aa being 'within the probable sphere of action, which, if carried out, will tend to add to the prosperity and expansion of the colony. Amongst these we may mention the desirability of the settlement of native lands, which, in Sir

Joseph's opinion, should be acquired at a fair value andi the money invested for the natives. Two objects would bo gained directly and a third indirectly. By bringing the pio-.'nt native land into cultivation a great menace to holders of adjacent Crown land will bo removed, as at present the native lands produce enough noxious woods to destroy till the land in the colony. By selling this land (which at present is w.orth next to nothing for revenue producing purposes) and investing the money a regular and reliable. income would h/0 assured to the natives interested. As a result the wilderness would be converted into a garden, and the produc ng power and prosperity of

the colony considerably enhanced. The quest/ion is one that must be faced sooner or later, and better this session than by a new Parliament. Another equally important mutter in the programme is that of opening up fresh markets for our produce. Probably Sir Joseph Ward had this in view) when, earlier in his speech, he advocated a policy of reciprocity with Australia, Canada, and other Countries. This latter subject is one that requires ,very delicate handling, and will probably entail the expenditure of considerable time, care, aad diplomacy. It will not be surprising to find that no actual steps are taken until after the fiscal issiue is settled by the voters in Great Dritain. At the same time we, deani iti to be the duty of the Government to do all an its power towards opening new markets far the produce of this colony, end it has been abundantly demonstrated that this view is also held by the Ministry. Among the long feU of proposed measures there are some which may be discussed, but probably will not get beyond that stage, for it must, be remembered .that -with the general election in viow there is likely to be much time wasted by the Opposition in endoavouring to belittle the Government in the eyes of the people, and to magnify such' ability as they can exhibit. Never-

theless it i® to be hoped that m.any of the measures foreshadowed by the Premier ctnd Sir Joseph Wand will become law, and' thus entitle the last session of the present' Parliament to rant with its predecessors as evidence of the progressive and sound policy of the present Administration.