THE Hnangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI -WEEKLY. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1882.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1181, 18 September 1882, Page 2

THE Hnangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI -WEEKLY. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1882.

It must be with satisfaction that the country will regard the closing of the Parlimentary session, forseldom, if ever, has one lasted so long and for the greater part of the time done so little. It is true, that there have been no less than 112 measures of some sort or the other added to the statute book, some of them very useful ones, others open to material exception, and one or two positively mischievous. There is nothing new in this mixture for it is found at the conclusion of every parliamentary term, but it is a matter for regret that all the most important bills have only been proceeded with at the close of the session, and that owing to the manner in which they have been hurried through, many of thorn will be fouud crude and imperfect when put into force, and will require tinkering again when the House next meets* There is little doubt that this has been anticipated by the Government, or rather its astute Treasurer, who, with Mr Bryce, really constitute tho commanding officers of th« Ministry. The session began on the 18th of May, and lias therefore lasted four months. During the early part of it the Government, knowing that danger threatened them, acted strictly on the defensive and committed themselves to nothing tliat would imperil tlieirseats. Major A tkinonn as leader in the Iluuse oi' lieproscn ta-

tives, pursupd a thoroughly Fabian policy of retreat, and waited till tin; divided ( 'pposition had pretty well exhausted themselves, till divisions in their camp became permanent, and more than all, till a wavering few had b ;en some way or other appeased and their support assured. Not till a narrow majority was assured did the Government dare to challenge their opponents, and even then they had a much nearer approach to defeat than they calculated on. After this trial of strength, Ministerial confidence was restored and Government bills came pouring in and were got through with marvellous celerity, the dispirited Opposition offering but a faint resistance. Every one should rejoice that the Loan bills were got through, despite Mr Montgomery's terse and unsatisfactory resolution to the contrary. There are many other measures that will be of great benefit to the country, the only exception that can be taken to them being that they were pushed through without receiving the careful consideration that they required. However, the session is over and there can be no doubt that some good has resulted, but had members at the beginning shown the same desire to expedite business that they did at its termination, it might have been over in six weeks instead of sixteen. It is to be hoped that when the House next meets the Opposition will be organised early in the session, that, if a trial of strength is resolved, on it may take place at the outset of the session, and, when that is determined in favor of either party, business may proceed without the vexatious and harassing obstruction on the one side, and the waiting policy on the other, that has characterised the session of 1882.

We understand that Mr R. Rox