The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 2nd., 1926. POLITICAL HAPPENINGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 2nd., 1926. POLITICAL HAPPENINGS.

The function of an Opposition being to oppose, it was not unexpected to find the blouse dealing with a no-confi-dence motion on the subject of the Address-in-Rsply. The effort, however, was rather out of place, seeing that on the Imprest Supply Bill, which went before. Labor had tried out the subject of .confidence already. The new Leader of the Opposition, nevertheless, bent on discharging the duties of his office to the very letter, had the traditional motion of 110-confi-dence presented for the second time. As Mr Forbes, the leader of the Liberals, intimated, the motion was misplaced for the reason that the Government was hack from'the country with a sweeping majority given by the people, and it was futile to expect a House, composed of Government members iu the main, to reverse that verdict. The experience, however, indicated how prone politicians are to waste the time and money of the country on the fruitless debates which attend all openings of sessions when the Speech from the Throne is under review. The Speech itself gives but the barest outline of the Government policy .and the matters could be discussed to much better service when the details are before Parliament. The purpose of the Address-in-Reply debates 'are of very little value lieyond the opportunity given members of expounding their views on subjects generally. But these long drawn out debates delay the possibility of happenings which might he of some value to the country. Assuming the formal Address-in-Reply to he agreed to, the way is then open for Government business to he brought down, and it is in criticising and reviewing the policy disclosed that the best service can be done. In that field there is just as wide r. scope, for the Opposition, and views and opinions may he rvpressed to more purpose. A fortnight of Parliament has passed now. and nothing of special consequence has happened. Matters disposed of are those of th? usual formal character which could have been dealt with more briefly. It is to bo hoped next week will see th? business hotter organised. There is the suggestion that the session is to he a short on.? on account of the Prime Minister proceeding to the Imperial Conference, and that being so. there is all, the more reason for celerity with the business while the time for discussing it is less pressing. The Prime Miniter has such a - majority with him that he need not lie fearful as to any untoward happenings with legislation he desires to place on the statute book, and the Government position is so impregnable in the House from a voting point of view, that if wishing to live up to the reputation of get-

tings things done is the Premier’s political ideal, there is lull and free opportunity to do so with the present Parliament. Another aspect of the situation is the lack of debating power on the Government side. Neither -W.inistors nor members arc strong in debate, so that with so many on the Reform side, (lie loquacity of tlio House will not lie specially marked. Hut there will La all the more room for the Opposition, Labour and Liberal alike, to exercise their full rights to eritcisc the Government without prolonging the session unduly. The presentation of policy measures will give the opening necessary to utilise the rights and powers of criticism to the best advantage, and when that opportunity arrives something more substantial than is now occurring may happen.