The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 1913.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3407, 11 August 1913, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 1913.

circuit has been a good deal deposits, of talk in Par£39,B23,ooprs and liament so far o«l (Inn i !)rs - this session the ;; position is that work that has been Tlie bank\V>mpa r ed with what recent. ■& • I . ■ Short loans. per cent, and" follows: London, 3 i->~> Paris 32 per cent; Ben,, cent. /

mains to be done. In this connection our press gallery reporter wires that not much can bo accomplished in the matter of advancing the Bills already on the heavily-stocked Order Paper until after the completion of the Financial Debate, which will be opened on • Wednesday and may be expected to last up to a fortnight. Upon this occasion the Budget debate is bound to bo followed with great interest, for, it is not unlikely that an opportunity may bo taken to test the state of paries—not as between Liberals and Radicals, but as between supporters and opponents of the party in power. Then, of course, if the Government successfully repulses any challenge—and it is generally anticipated that such will be the case—there will remain for 'consideration a sufficient number of measures to make the session, so it is understood, one of the longest on record! The special information which is just to hand states that in addition to the measures at present before the llouso some very imporant ones are now almost ready to be introduced. It appears that the Land Bill, which proposes, inter alia, to extend the option of the freehold to a further section of Crown tenants, will be brought down almost immediately, probably in a week or so. As far as the measure to amend and consolidate the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act iis concerned, it is now reported to be ready. This Bill, as has already been announced, will break new ground by providing machinery for the settlement of industrial disputes in which unregistered unions are involved. Whether it "ill also contain proposals for an alteration in the constitution of the Arbitra-

tion Court has not been divulged. A Bill to amend the Workers' Compensation Act has been introduced in the House, but, it seems, it lias not been circulated. It is understood that it is being held over for revision, pending a division as to the powers to be conferred upon magistrates.in dealing with compensation claims. This question, it may lie recalled, was discussed when the Magistrates Court Amendment Bill was before the House and it was held over for further consideration. After tfie Financial Debate is over, one of the new important measures that may be expected, it seems, is that which will deal with the affairs of the Bank of New Zealand. It is now known, too, that the Native Land Bill "ill make its appearance during the present month. This measure will contain some important provisions aiming at expediting the settlement of Native lands. Following the usual course it will be referred to the Native Affairs Committee. A Bill dealing with the rating of Native lands in such a manner as to make the collection of rates due by

Native owners more easy will be introduced concurrently. The amount of business- ahead of Parliament is, therefore, very heavy, and unless the Opposition is prepared to keep the volume of talk from their side within moderation legislators may expect to have anything but a happy time before them for the next four or possibly five months. Already, it would appear, the strain of a hard, working session is beginning to make itself felt to some extent, for many cf the members went out of town lor the week-end. Under the circumstances, then, it is not at all unlikely that long hours may have to be worked, and long hours in the course of a long session spells irritability with its sequel in angry debates and lively scenes. The prospects, it will be agreed, are not too bright, so far as a happy session eventuating are concerned.' If and when the Opposition are taken in hand by a leader there would, however, be a great improvement in the position, for in such an event irresponsible “guerilla” attacks would have come to an end. Just at present political quidnuncs are tipping that the session will not end until December. Let us hope—especially for the sake of the legislators—that this will prove a mistaken forecast!