The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5117, 11 June 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1885.

To-tuy opens the second session of file" ninth Parliament of New Zealand, and few of its predecessors bare been more pregnant with importance than this one promises to be. We have in the immediate future stern and solemn responsibilities to look after, in paying due attention to the actions^of the party at present in power, and from timu to time disseminating for the public weal condensed accounts of legislatorial proceedings. The session promises to be full of interest, some of the issues likely to be dealt with being of such importance that it is with no ordinary caution, it may be depended, the Ministry will approach them. Such items in their programme as Local Government will cause much debate, and whatever fate Ministerial proposals may meet with, whether they be accepted or rejected, the result will only be carried by a small majority. Serious difficulty surrounds the adjustment of the colony's finances, and it is with some curiosity that the unfolding of the Vogellian policy is awaited. Defences hare unfortunately caused no inconsiderable drain on the colony's funds, owing to the recent war scare, which was perhaps somewhat un« necessarily prolonged by the vacillation of the Gladstone administration. These works are of a permanent character, and the security afforded by their construction is, we must hope, likely to be a last* ing benefit to the colony. The administration of native affairs is likely to prove a source of trouble during the comiDg session—so many interests, personal and otherwise, being involved in it. We can hardly expect that clean straightforward dealing with the native lands of the colony will be purgued, where so many private interests which would be shattered by honest and useful legislation, exist in them. Too much corruption has had sway in this portion of the colony to render strong the phalanx opposed to the proper settlement of the native land question; too many powerful influences hare been brought to bear upon legislation in even this free country, where manhood suffrage is known, to assist those eager to become possessed of the colonist's inheritance. Every effort jet mads to free the land; Worn- the thraldom of caomed nags has' pro Tod aboxtive, owing to the almighty MidasThe treatment of ooe of the most prolific sources of wealth in the colony's po3Beasion, viz., Minitfg, will undoubtedly be carefully considered, if the present party remain in power. During the visit of the Minister (Mr Larnach) to our district, he displayed an intelligent interest in the work done in ovr midst, and showed every inclination to aid in developing the vast resources of the field. There was no superficial observation made by the Mine j Minister; he was exact in his scrutiny of ' the powers of production and the wants ,of the field—in fact, the colony has never been before blessed with a Minister whose attention has been to directed to or coocen--1 trated upon this very important item io

its fortuDes. The matter of Education wil', of course, come to the front again, and in all probability be relegated ones more to a back sent. In all con« sistoney, we would urge that some attention be© paid to the prnyers of those who aro willing to proride schools, pay masters, and pass scholars under an inspector appointed by Government. Let the standard be fixed, and all , schools, public and private, be permitted .to partake of the educational vote, where scholars pass the Governmental inspection. The desire for office is, as might be expected, burning like a live coal in the breasts of certain opponents of the present | Ministry, but we think that some disappointment is likely to ensue; the StoutVogcl party will be trusted until it is found wanting.