The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1925 H.M. OPPOSITIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1925 H.M. OPPOSITIONS.

It is not clear at the moment who will lead H.M. Opposition in the l.owor House. .Mr Holland's chances are the better at the moment, for it may be assumed that some of the Nationalist members will range themselves on tho side of the Government, and the remnant if the Liberals remaining in I’aihament will he numeric ally small. The fusion of the future which we tiro likely to hear most of will he probably a revival of the old Liberal-Labor party, whereby Labor which is not extreme will find a more congenial harbour of political refuge. Labor as led by Mr Holland Inis been told by the voice of the |>e :p!e that New Zealand will have none of it. As a party now, 1 extreme Labor is weak, and cannot be an effective Opposition Itecause its policy is such, as is not likely to find favour. The set back Labor lias bad as at present led. should lie indication enough to revise its policy, and by eliminating the extremely radical and socialistic ideas, set about building up a policy of sane progress likely to ap-jx-al to the imagination of the people. The Labor policy hoped to capture the country for its followers as a class. But New Zealand will not have class legislation. At the same time, politics in the Dominion must be progressive to retain the interest and support of the people. Labor which leaned so much on the Liberal policy in the past did not support- that party in vain. There is a very fine legislative record of the davs when Liberals and Labor consorted together hut on distinctly loyal grounds. The hope for Labour advancement is on similar lines. As a class, if seeking class advantage only at the expense of the country. Lahor cannot hone to progress. The appeal must he on generous terms to the masses. For the time being the Government of the day will hold the legislative fort, indefinitely, and H.M.

Opposition can lie nothing better than critics. As opponents they will i.o without weight or serious effect, but by honest criticism an excellent purpose can be served. Mr Holland and his party must needs cut away from the past, and live a new political life. Unless that is done the Opposition will lie most ineffective. The country lias th.e opportunity now of enjoying a stable form of government. Its success can lie very great, though such acts as two of tilt* recent appointments to the Upper House "ill detract certainly from its record. Still, that may he only a passing party phase to redeem an old promise. For the time being, the offense against good taste will not- lie charged directly to the Prime Minister, who was liout apparently on honoring a promise by the former Prime Minister, as (piickly as jxissible and get the task over. But there will he plenty of opportunity to redeem that act in the many necessary deeds requiring to he done. In a day < r two now the final result of the dccticns will lx* known, and the identity and strength of lt.M. Opposition will he defined clearly. As the matter stands, the Opposition will have its work cut out. even though its ranks may include the salt of the parties. A Labor Opposition may be of some driving force if it modified its socialistic bent and dropped the fantastic legislation it had iu mind. As u party seeking to supplant the Government, its task is futile, and the very impossibility will lie a saving in avoiding the many debates of no-confidence which were recurring when the parties were so evenly balanced in the House previously. The Government will thus

have greater scope ter carrying out its legislative programme, and on that account the public may look forward to some necessary legislation taking early shape, instead of being pushed over from time to time (ill it has been the ( ii.stom to find it is too late to deal with controversial subjects. Delays of that kind arc all past now. and the House will he m the position of going ahead as fast as the Prime Minister presents his programme. lI.M. On t >*< sit ion will -Appear as critics only, for the next three years, but the trend of the criticism may begin to work the inevitable change.