Hokitika Guardian & evening TUESDAY, JULY 6th, 1920. H.M. OPPOSITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & evening TUESDAY, JULY 6th, 1920. H.M. OPPOSITION.

His Majesty's Opposition in the present Parliament does not appear likeiy to he a dangerous quantity for the next three years. To begin with, it is torn asunder into threo parts. These are the Liberals, Labor, and the Independents of these two sections. There are .some Jqdopendents in the Reform party also, but they by no stretch of the imagination can be clashed as forming a unction of thp Opposition. Mr Holland’s attempt to interrupt S’M’V last week with an adverse motion did not boar any fruit, except to show how dislocated the Opposition was. Apart from b,'? own Allowing eight, eight other members jUiberals and Independents joined forces. The r£B)»mder of the Opposition were non est for the time being, If a division is taken on Mr MacDonald’s official po confidence motion to-day or to-morrow, there should be a better numerical showing, as the Labour party* will throw in ics lot with the Liberals for the time being, and there is some probability of the voting strength of the Opposition being fully re yea f ed. The result, however will not displace the "Government—that was assured at the polls last December. With the trial of strength determined, it is to be hoped that ajl parties in the House will settle down to business. There will, however, be plenty for the (Opposition to do during the session in .the of criticising and even endeavouring tv fpree legislation. The Government when 'OCtyre the people pioduewt ti lengthy poljicy fo> It is for the "Opposifio.o to the /redemption wf those promises. Where the Government fail, the Opposition can step in and give a load by (private members bringing down skeleton measures for’ discussion, and so force the subject, upon the attention of the House,' Tim' opposition lean do all this in a friendly way withqiit a,t, all harrassing the Government, fkm i? so much to do and so little time to do it in that it is not unreasonable to expect Die Government to move quickly with their policy measures, and these will require to be debated. The Government on its part can pursue the even tenor of its way in security, bu,t it is hoped will make a legitimate effort to fulfil its part. Mr Massey has behind him an assured majority and Ids political position is so impregnable that tlio onus is on him to lead Pari Lament with all the necessary legislation lie has promised as being requisite for the good government of the country. Parliament is a great talking shop, as one of the members remarked fast week, but the opportunity offers now to translate words into acts, and Mr Massey will bo .expected to lead m this way or fail to fulfil his hustings pledges. The Opposition will tbps have plenty of work ahead. The duty will be to watch and urge the Government to action. Incidentally there must be some unity of action as Between the three component parts, or they will at times be pulling different ways and exhausting their slight strength fruitlessly. It to be seen how sensible they will be in this matter of unity if they are going to

strive jointly for tho greatest good for the greatest number.