SHORT AND SWEET.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1891, Page 2

SHORT AND SWEET.

*— The first session cf the eleventh Parli:iment of New Zea'and comet! to n close to-day, after a sitting o£ S diiys, the shortest session on record. Looking over the list of Parliaments held m New Zealand since the Constitution Act was passed we find that there have been four double sessions, viz. 1854, 1879, 1884, and 1887. The shortest sessions on record have been one of 16 days m 1854, one of 19 days m 1864, and another of the same length m 1884. In no other case, however, has Parliament been called together, and prorogued m a week. At times such an action would have called forth from the whole colony a howl of disapprobation, but it is felt that the blame for this unnecessary expenditure cannot be thrown on the present Government, and as tbe guilty parties are dead, there is not much use m making a kue and cry about what they have done f m the matter. It cannot bo said that though abnormally Bhort, the session has been useless, or the money altogether mis -spent, which will have to be provided for calling it together. It has been conclusively proved that the last elections were against the Atkinson party; that, despite all unfounded rumours to the contrary, Mr Ballance has been able to form a strong Ministry from its ranks; and that the country is willing that he should have an opportunity of trying his hand, of investigating the position of the Colony, and of abolishing many of the evils which are known to exist. Looking forward a little we may safely assume that the new Government will last at least for the term of the eleventh Parliament, and that while changes will be made m the incidence of taxation nothing revolutionary will be attempted either m the bursting up line, or m view of putting labor m a predominant position. The reform of the Legislative Council may be considered as practically settled upon as an item of policy, and it is evident that the regulation ol debates, now that the reason for stonewalling has passed away from the Liberal side, is to receive some attention. The melancholy view of affairs taken by Mr Bryce, who mourned the absence of his leader, Sir Harry Atkinson, as the one man who could command a majority on that side of the House was characteristic of the hon gentleman, and he received an answer to his assertion that Mr Ballance "had not the approval of the House at all" m a crushing majority of eleven votes. The position at present is one of victory all along the line for the Liberals, and we believe that Mr Reeves was m the right when he said that next session would be an extremely arduous one, as it is evidently the intention of the Government to do their work thoroughly, and to place on the statute book some measures which will mark for a time the progress of the democracy, and the advent to power of a party pledged to advance the interests of the people of the colony, and to sweep away those abuses which have grown up around our political constitution, and become attached like barnacles to the ship of state, impeding its progress even m the smooth waters of returning prosperity.