THE SESSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1917, Page 2

THE SESSION.

PREPARATIONS AND PREDICTIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent); Wellington, June 15. The approach of the third session of the nineteenth Parliament of New Zealand is being signalled by various announcements in-the newspapers in regard to the Government's programme, the mover and seconder of the AddreSs-in-Reply, -and so forth, and 'by the- customary bustle of preparation. The Government's programme, though sketched in some detail' by the enterprising journalists whose business it is to serve the public in this respect, is not likely to take any definite shape till Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are here to assist in its compilation. It is fairly safe to predict, however, that 'Ministers will wish to concentrate the attention of Parliament upon war measures during | the session and to postpone more con, troversial questions till next year. Just how far they will succeed will depend upon the temper of the House and at the moment this does not promise to be quite so compliant as they may 'desire. FURTHER PROLONGATION. Rut for the legislation of last year by which the 'House of Representatives prolonged its lifo the approaching session would have been tho last of the present Parliament. Circumstances have justified the action of the House so far as it makes it plain that it would tic undesirable to hold a general election at- the end of the current .year, but they have not entirely disposed of tho contention of those people who held that the decision should have been reserved till the approaching session. Now the probability of a further extension of the life pf Parliament is being discussed, but public feeling here is strongly against (iny step of the kind toeing taken this year. Nor do Ministers themselves seem particularly anxious to again postpone the appeal to the constituencies. They realise that long Parliaments are opposed to the sentiment of-the country and that the further they remove theTnselveS from the mandate of the electors the stronger this sentiment is becoming. THE ADTOESS-IN-REPLY. The annouvement that Mr. G. H. Smith, tho new member for Pahiattia, will move and the Hon. David Buddo, the member for Kaiapoi, will second the Address-in-Reply, has naturally occasioned a good deal of irresponsible speculation. Presumably the Reform members of the Cabinet Mr, Smith Vnd Hie Libaral members Mr. BudUo, and people are Wondering why Sir John ifiridlay, the new member for Hawke's Bay, was not associated with tho new meniber for Paliiatua in this ceremonial display. It is taken for granted that ■Sir John was offered the distinction, such as it is, arid that he had some good and sufficient reason, for declining to speak a' little piece on the occasion. It is suggested—of course as a pure'guess- 1 - tlmt in, view .of the Attorney-General's recent attack upon him he would not be consulting his own dignity 'by making his first, appearance in the House as nn apologist for the Ministry of which that gentleman is a inem'ber. A LIVELY SESSION ANTICIPATED. Other-people are making more of the .Incident. Tliey declare that Sir JohU Findlay's .-attitude, as they interpret it. is symptomatic of a wide-spread feeling .of .dissatisfaction among members Df the House which will express itself in., various ways as tho session progresses! Sir John himself, who must take a place ?,3 one of- the leading figures ,in the House, is known to have views of his own concerning the la,issez-faire policy of the Government and.there are a score of other members who, havo openly, declared their intention to apeak out frankly on a. number of questions that Jri exercising the inind of their constituents and, indeed, of- tho public genera Itlly. The session, promises, to be a much more lively one than either of. tliqJ oth?r two, held since.thp-begipning of the w£r : , and being lively it to lie interesting and may be profitable. ' :