The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1912. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1526, 23 August 1912, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1912. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE.

While to many people the Budget debate may appear to be a waste of time, it is a part of the Parliamentary procedure which is not without a good deal of merit. The speeches of members are not merely empty talk. The opinions expressed serve a useful purpose in focussing the" views of members, especially where there is room for doubt in • matters of detail and minor questions of policy. Certainly, on .the present occasion, the policy of the lieform Government appears to have somewhat demoralised the already disorganised forces of those in Opposition, and the criticism bestowed on it has in consequence been very weak and of little use either as a stimulant or .a corrective; but it has at least provided a safety valve for the pent up feelings of members. Contrary to the customary order of thiiigs, the supporters of the Government- havo provided the greater patfc of the really useful material in the debate. While they havo freely expressed their appreciation and approval of tho Budget presented by the Minister of Fiflatiefc; afld have given enthusiastic endorsement to the policy proposals outlined there' in, they have with equal freedom stated their personal views of tho needs ofthe country as they seo them. Ministers will no doubt profit j by the suggestions offered And the hints given, for it is to the credit of the Massey Government that it is wise enough to realise that it loses nothing cith6r_ in dignity or prestige by acccpting and adopting a good suggestion whether it comes from friend or foe. It was one of the weaknesses of the Continuous Ministry that it could never bring itself to believe that anything that emanated from an opponent should be openly acknowledged as worth adopting. Frequently enough • it seized on policy proposals of its opponents after a lapse of time and claimed them as its o\vrt; but it never had the honesty Or the courage to frankly admit* the fact. It always appeared to regard every move in politics from the point of view of the probable effect on the party's fortunes instead of regarding it in relation to its probable effect on the country. During the debate now proceeding a great deal has been said, chiefly by supporters of the Government, on the necessity for. attending adequately to the need's of tlin back-block settlers; and also to the advantages which must follow on a more practical and energetic effort to promote land settlement, and th? unanimity of opinion vpu these uoiata Ehould encQuraee tha,

Government to press forward with it.s proposals in these directions, inert) cannot be any doubt that a larger proportion of the expenditure ou public works should be devoted to assisting those settled in the outVnig parts of the countrv; and if it has done nothing else the debate lias afforded an opportunity for emphasising this fact. The speakers yesterday livened up the proceedings somewhat, and in the evening Dit. •Newman got away from the beaten .11 incl "lgctl in a little plain talk. He wants a good manv tilings clor.c in a hurry and he particularly wants the interests of his constituents looked after. He made some good points and promised to be the candid friend of the Government if they did not come up to expectations; which is all very right and il r ° P r, r nncl quitc as should bo. If the Government does not commit worse offences, however, than can be laid to its account up to the present, it has as little to fear from its candid trends as from its open foes. • The debate looks like being Carried over into next week, in which case it nrnV last some days longer.