THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1909. THE COMING SESSION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3169, 21 April 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1909. THE COMING SESSION.

It is beyond question that the coming session of Parliament will be of a far more interesting character than many that have preceded it. For some years past the finances of the country have been in a very buoyant condition, and the paternal Government, always disposed to lavish money in any directioh that seemed to be popularly desired, posed as the friends of all, and appeared to consider that the coffers of the country were an inexhaustible treasure house, the result of the surprising wisdom of Liberal measures, and the miraculous nature of the Government's policy. In the course of time, however, the confidence of many people has become shaken, for it must now be abundantly patent to even the most simple minded per son that unless a progressive policy is vigorously carried out, and a properlv economical administration maintained in all matters affecting the welfare of the people that periods of depression must be much more acutely felt than would otherwise be the case. The Government cannot be censured for American "smashes," or for a fall in prices in connection with New Zealand produce in the Home markets, but they can be must justly condemned if in both legislation and administration they fail to observe that decree of caution which in the interests of general satety should be followed. The Government, of course, will not admit their errors, but in the face of the wholesale retrenchment that has had to be inaugurated their protestations that they have been progressive and economical must be rejected as being contrary to fact. The retrenchment efforts of the Govarnmerit will certainly be the subject of much criticism when Parliament meets. Then there is the fact that the Opposition party has increased considerably in strength, and that it contains a number of able men, whose predictions at the Tast General Election have been verified by subsequent events to, at least, some extent. Questions of great importance to be discussed will be the offer of a Dreadnought, which, it is genorally considered, wil be approved of by nearly all the members of the House,

the administration of the railways, and the Premier's universal training proposal, while, it is said that there is a possibility of the freehold question being introduced once more The new Ministers will have many opportunities of showing the Jcalibre that they are made of, while the evident discontent of the Labour Party, (though it is, practically,minus representation in the House) with some of the Government's actions will, no doubt, make itself felt in various ways. As we have remarked there is no question but that the session will prove to be etxremely interesting.