Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1910. THE PAST SESSION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10132, 5 December 1910, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1910. THE PAST SESSION.

The session of the New Zealand j Parliament, which came to a somei what abrupt, though not inglorious termination on Saturday evening last, was, in many respects, one of the most remarkable in the history of the Dominion. From the very first week that the legislators assembled in Wellington, it was made clear that there was to be heavy weather at the political heads, and the events of the. session in no way falsified the prediction. In no previous session has there been so much heat in debate, so much acrimony and vindictiveness as in that just ended. The Government following was by no means harmonious, and the numerous divisions which proved adverse to the Prime. Minister was striking testimony of the disintegration of the Liberals. It is almost amazing that, in view of these circumstances, Parliament should have been able to put through -so much important legislation. Had it not been for the assistance rendered by the Opposition, such measures as the Defence Bill, the Lands Finance and Settlement Bill, and the Licensing AmendI ment Bill would have been imposf sible. Strange as it may appear, the Government was not sure of a majority on a great many of the Bills which were introduced, and it was necessary for the Prime. Minister to perform numerous acrobatic feats and to resort to destructive compromises to get his policy measures on to the Statute Book. The most I important measure that was before the country—the measure upon which depended so. largely, the progress of settlement and the . development of •the.internal resources of the Dominion—was'conveniently jettisoned. Tho Ward Government has shown that it is incapable of framing land legisla-. tion. Tfc does not possess an elemeirhirv knowledge of the roqujro-

monts of the country. Its following is composed of so many adverse and irreconcilable elements that it is impossible to conceive anything but jumbled legislation under the most favourable circumstances. There are not half-a-dozen great political questions upon which the Ministry itself is riot divided. How is it possible, under such conditions, for the affairs of the country to be conducted in a satisfactory manner? The constituencies are sick and tired of "Liberalism" as it is now known. They want a change. They want a peep into the pigeon-holes. They want greater security against "graft," and patronage, and political wire-pulling. They want the burden of taxation reduced, fhey want clean administration. Thev want rest.