THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1911. THE PAST SESSION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10463, 30 October 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1911. THE PAST SESSION.

The sessioa of tne JS'ew Zealand Parliament which closed on Saturday last was, in certain respects, one of the most remarkable that the/Dominion has seen. In its early stages* it promised nothing but dullness and despair. But when Sir Joseph Ward returned from his Empire-making crusade and found his party in a state <*>f disintegration, and his own reputation sullied by his acceptance of a title which constituted him the first aristocrat in the land, he found it necessary to resort to desperate measures. Accordingly, lie summoned his party, and told them that lie intended doing great things. The con-; templation of the surrendering of principle to considerations of office - proved too much for the Hon. Geo. Fowlds, and that conscientious though misguided politician created a sensation 'by resigning from the Ministry. Then came the memor T able Budget of the Prime Minister. This was of so transparently a catclivote character that people ceased to wonder why the Hon. George Fowlds had so unceremoniously got out. A.part from the lavish expenditure of money in all parts of the Dominion, Sir Joseph Ward promised legislation which would restore the confidence of every electorate; and save himself and his party froim the effacement which was threatened. But what has 'been the outcome of it all ? Why, not a single measure demand-' ed iby the people lias been placed upon the Statute Book. The Mental Defectives Bill has, perhaps, something to recommend it. But it is not a measure of momentous import- i ance. The extending of the (benefits of the Old Age Pensions Act was undertaken with an undoubted view to forestalling the Opposition. It was not even thought about until Mr iMassey had outlined his policy. As for the Widows Pensions Act, this affects only a small portion of the community, and confers benefits which are of a doubtful quantity. With the exception of these unimportant measures, the whole of the dazzling policy set out in the catchvote Budget evaporated as the dew •before the morning .sun. The Land Settlement 'Bill, which possessed attractive features, was (brought down in the dying hours of the session, when there was absolutely no hope of its being dealt with, and although the Prime Minister lias promised it for next session, the chances of its again seeing dayliglit whilst the present party is in power are exceedingly remote. Taken as a whole, the session has probably been the most

ban-en in Uio iiibiury oi me JUonunion. No eilort was made to reform che : system of local government, which is in a state vi chaos. Isot the slightest attempt was made to reform the Legislative Council. in'o semblance of a desire was displayed to put the Civil Service on a better footing or to do away with the wretched system of ''spoils to the victors," under which the public works fund is controlled. The promised commission to investigate the cost of living turned out to be a pure myth. No. effort whatever was made to regulate public extravagance. On the contrary, the estimates presented a disregard for economy in expenditure which was as astounding as it was reckless. And so the session has ended, after a series of exhibitions of petulance and temper on the part of the Prime Minister, with the oountry asking for bread and receiving a stone. How can. the Ward Administration expect a continuance of the people's. confidence in such . circumstances? Can Sir Joseph Ward—the first aristocrat in the land—conscientiously go to the worker for •support, when he has shown himself utterly opposed to democratic sentiment ? Can he hope for a renewal of the confidence of the people as a whole when one of his own Ministers declares, by his actions, that he has forfeited all -claims to the title of "Liberal" and "Democrat?" Can he hope that his claim to statesmanship will /be respected when his conduct as,'a. politician is so obviously regulated by considerations of expediency, an uncontrollable lust for office, and a potential desire for power and patronage?