WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1922, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

ARBITRATION BILL. THE STONEWALL. i SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON, Feb. S. The “stonewall” set up in the House against the passage of the Conciliation d and Arbitration Bill came to an end this c morning when the Labourites and the 1 Liberals had exhausted every legitimate ' i means of opposition to the measure and i philosophically submitted to the inevit- i able. Their efforts were not altogether in vain. Though they did not succeed 1 in materially altering the complexion j of the Bill they obtained one or two ] concessions from the Government which - will make it rather less objectionable to 1 organised Labour than it was in its original form. The committee proceedings, considering the length to which they were drawn out, were remarkably free from the asperities which usually accompany such trials of strength. All the Labour members and several of the Liberal members took part in the talking, hut on the other side of the House the rank and file remained the “dumb” dogs of whom the country heard so much when Dir Seddon commanded an j overwhelming majority in the House. ! THE OPPOSITION ALLIANCE. Just how far the association of the Liberals, Labourites arid Independents in the “stonewall” is going to help theta towards the projected alliance between the “progressive” parties it is difficult to say, but there can he no I doubt that the various elements of the I Opposition are on better terms with one j another to-day than they have been sit ' any other time during the life of the present Parliament. Mr Wilford, the official leader of the Liberal Party, has maintained a conciliatory attitude towards official Labour, without associating himself with any of its extreme aspirations, and Dir Holland and his colleagues, without renouncing any part of their programme, have responded in kind. Mr Statham and Dir Kellett, who have pioneered the way for a resumption of the Liberal-Labour compact, have voted consistently with the Liberals and Labourites during the week and this association must help to-f wards a complete reconciliation between' the parties. Already they are talking l of making common cause during the impending general election and this might mean very much.