The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1917. PARLIAMENT'S WORK.
The session ot Parliament which has just terminated is more remarkable for Waste of time than for its contributions to legislation. It was understood from the outset that the spssion was to be devoted to war business and the provision of ways and means for bearing the war burdens. So rapidly have o'ur liabilities been accumulated thai the question of economy in Government departments has become a burning question—and no one has had the courage to quench the flames. The nearest approach to giving heed to the insistent demand was the promise of an inquiry into Defence expenditure by mean? of a. commission, so that probably by the time the war is over we may hope to learn what might have been done to save many thousands of pounds. Where, however, economy had no business to intrude, in such a, case as that of making liberal allowances for soldiers' dependents, it was pressed for all' it was. worth. The Government, however, has carried through some legislative measures that were urgently needed in connection with war matters, especially by ; extending the scope of the' Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, authorising increased grants, and voting two million sterling for providing employment for discharged soldiers on public and local body wiorks. The ■controversial measure of the session was that which dealt with the early closing of hotel bars. It was expected that such a drastic Bill would have been the subject of a fierce, and close fight, but the majority in favor of six o'clock closing was so decisive that the new departure in legislative methods met its most serious opposition in the Upper House, The passing of thi s Bill, without any provision for compensation, and merely with a provision in certain cases for readjusting rents, may be regarded as a direct thrust on licensing legislation, and the prelude to more drastic legislation. One of the surprising features of the session was the unexpected fu>s«rtiv«nefln
of the Legislative Council, whose watchful care has earned general commendation. Most of the measures discussed by the House have already been the subject of comment in these columns as thuy were made public. The session served its purpose in soveral ways. It demonstrated the limitations of Ministers as well as their aptitude in explaining away many failures to deal with important matters affecting the community, and especially was this the case in regard to the cost of living—admittedly a difficult problem, but one that has grown almost too great for want of a vigorous policy in the early days of the war. The growing tendency to govern by regulation instead of by legislation received a well merited check last session —and it wan long overdue. In failing to organise for increased production the Government has neglected a manifest duty, apparently leaving this vital matter to the Efficiency Boardfas newly constituted. On the whole the session was a reflex of the abnormal state of affairs now Universally existing. It ij onlv fair to make due allowance for the strain caused by the added responsibilities ontailed by the war.
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Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1917, Page 4
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519The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1917. PARLIAMENT'S WORK. Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1917, Page 4
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