The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1916. THE SESSION CLOSED.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1916. THE SESSION CLOSED.

The second session of the nineteenth rnrliament of New Zealand, which closed yesterday, lasted for three months, and the business transacted could very well have been dispatched in just half the time. It was essentially a war session, us was indicated by the Govei'nor's ■•peeeh when Parliament was opened on May 10. The prosecution of the war, and the financial and other necessary arrangements connected therewith formI'd the chief subjects of legislation, His Excellency stressed the fact that the members were invited to direct the whole of their energies to the settlement of some oi the difficult problems connected with the war, and to the consideration of measures directly related thereto. It seems, however, impossible to eliminate the bones of contention that are ever at hand in politics, and fchouek it was tacitly understood there

.should be no contentious measures in - troduced, the liquor question cropped up and occupied a considerable amount of attention, especially in connection ■ with the early closing of hotels. The only measure that proved at all contentious was the Military Service Bill, but the feeling throughout the Dominion was s'j greatly in accord with the measure that the noisy minority in the House had to recognise the force ot public opinion. It is extremely probable that the Government may before long have to put Ibis Act into operation, making military service compulsory, as the voluntary system shows signs of inability to keep up the necessary flow of men to fill up the successive reinforcements. The Dominion is pledged to do its best to further the successful prosecution of the war, and that means the regular despatch of men to assist in accomplishing the desired end. Next in importunce to the Military Service Bill came the question of taxation, and on this subject the value of the National Government was exemplified. Had there been no coalition it may safely be assumed that the taxation proposals would have differed considerably from those laid before the House, and it is very probable that the session would have been very prolonged, while possibly the fate of the Ministry might have been involved. Sir Joseph Ward, however, proved to be a tower of strength in his department, and though several of his ■proposals were strongly criticised, yet, in the main they were adopted. Taxation ia always a thorny question. Those who have to bear what they consider as an undue portion of the burden naturully dislike the process, while those who are hardly, if at all, affected are inclined to add to the impositions already placed on the wealthier men. On the whole the proposals were equitable, and especially was that the case with regard to war profits, which legitimately were fair objects of taxation, and the thoroughly conscientious members of the community on whom this tax falls will doubtless readily admit its propriety un-l iler the exceptional circumstances that exist. The session just ended was one that should be memorable as reflecting the marvellous hold that practical patriotism has taken on the people of the Dominion. With very few exceptions the representatives of the electors have risen to the occasion, and as a consequence there has been exhibited commendable rommon sense and businesslike methods. The experiment of governing the country by a coalition has been a distinct success, and the influence of this elimination of party warfare may be productive of much good in the future. Ministers have had an exceptionally trying time, but they have, on the whole, done well. The Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward can now proceed on their visit to the Motherland with perfect consciousness that the Dominion ha 3 done, is doing, and will continue to do its part in assisting the great cause for which the man power of the Allies is now devoting its energies. The soldiers of the Dominion stand high in the estimation of the Motherland, and that fact, together with the wholehearted loyalty of the people of New Zealand, will evoke the heartiest of welcomes for our statesmen, and strengthen the ties existing between the Old Land and the New.