The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1885.
The Parliamentary business of the year has began, and although it has been stated that members are bunging the be« lief that the session will close in about two months, we fear that this hope is a delusive one, unless a defeat of the Ministry should bring it to a termination. The measures promised are of particular moment, and cannot be disposed of one way or another in a harried manner. The lengthy Government programme given will in itself, with the ordinarj routine work of the session, take a considerably longer time to dispose of, even without allowing ambitious members the opportunities they rarely fail toavail themselves of, to bring their private measures and business before Parliament. The settlement of the lands of the colony will take up the attention of both Houses of the Legislature for a period that could not have been calculated upon when a two months' session was spoken of. The opening up of areas in the South Island by the construction of the West Coast and Otago Central lines of railway, and the same in thi3 Island consequent on the carrying out of the Northern Main Trunk line, render special legislation as to settlement extremely desirable, if not absolutely necessary; and as regards the South, the proposals of the Government, as foreshadowed in the speech from the throne, are certain to meet with opponents, and take time to dispose of. In connection with this land question, that portion of it affected by native considerations will not be hurriedly dealt with, and not only is it undesirable that it should be so, but the many interests involved, and personally represented, in Parliament, will insure a rather full attention being devoted to it/ There is little fear or doubt that every feature of the face of Maori matters will not be fully and prominently brought forth, especially in a House where sit many 10 thoroughly couI versant with them as belong to the pre* sent Parliament. Local government is likely to be the cause of a long and ■determined struggle; the Government propose to extend the powers of bodies, 3nd grant. Iliera more assured loobl finance, willi a *iew to easing constant applications to the powers that be for aid to parry ont their functions. Many mem* bers of the House hold views not at all in accordance with those of the Ministry in relation to this matter, and sometime will be taken up ere it is settled. Another subject which will not be hurriedly dealt with is the matter of the conservation and utilization of the forests of the colony, It will be remembered that in years gone by, when the present Colonial Treasurer was in office before, that this most important subject was paid considerable attention to; there is no doubt that it deserves much thought and careful action, and will occupy some time in discussion during the session. The matters of fisheries, mining, laws, defences, mail services, and com-iperc-i&l relations with Home sad the
adjacent colouies and islands, annexation and federation, charitable aid, and numer ous other more or less absorbing items, tend to make up a list quite sufficient to take up the attention of our representatives for considerably more than twS months, unless they go through their duties in a most perfunctory manner. Unless, as we hare stated, a Ministerial defeat should ensue, we expect to see the session last at least until October.
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Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5120, 15 June 1885, Page 2
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585The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1885. Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5120, 15 June 1885, Page 2
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