WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

PARTY PUZZLES. POLITICAL GOSSIP. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, Gob. IC. It is a matter of club ana street corner gossip tJint a week or two before tlie loginning of the Christmas and I New Year holidays a deputation representing a considerable body oi restless Reformers waited upon the Prime -Minister with a request that he would let his political friends know where he ltood upon the questions ot public expenditure, taxation and the Government's continued interference with private enterprise. The deputation was very courteously received, so the story runs, but was sent away without having its curiosity satisfied. Mr Coates listened attentively to the various spcakcis, appeared to make notes ol their statements, suggested they should reduce their representations to writing and asked them to see him again. That was nearly two months ago. In the interval the Government has proceeded cheerily with its expenditure, has <ollected its taxation anti has extended still further its business operations. It is reported now that the deputation is prepared with its written represenntions and is awaiting the pleasure ol the Prime Minister as to the date of another interview. DEPARTMENTAL IN GI.PENCE. ! One outcome of the ‘'conversations” | between the Prime Minister and his j restless political friends is a conviction I among the latter that the big men of ! the Civil Service are largely responsible for the socialistic proclivities of the Government. "These men.” one authority said to-day. referring to the head.of departments. " know a great deal more about legislative and administrative tactics than their .Ministers do. and their knowledge enables them ti get their own way. They see in the Government’s entrance into business an opportunity to glorify themselves and their oflices, and the temptation is irresistible.” There may he some colour of truth in this assertion, hut it is hard to see what tangible advantages either Mr Coates himself or his advisers are going to secure by their excursions into trade and (ommerce. Sv> far their clforts in this direction have been the very reverse of encouraging both from a party and an economic point ol -view. and. at best, must have cost the country many thousands of pounds that n.o'er can he recovered. Tile. GOVERNMENT CITADEL. Notwithstanding all the difficulties that beset the Government at the present time, the hold of Mr Coates and his colleagues upon the Treasury benches looks even mure secure than ii did three years ago, when, as it turned out. they were on the eve ol a sweep mg victory at the polls. 'I he l uited Political Party, which aimed at attracting both eager Nationalists and disgruntled Reformers to its fold, seems lo have made only a poor beginning with its active campaign at Auckland lasi week; the Independent Liberals, the custodians of great traditions, stil arc wandering leaderlcss in Ihc wilderness of long-delorred hope, and Si: .Joseph Ward is ploughing his lonely furrow without any intention ol adding to the confusion of parties. 'I he old’, possible alternative lo the continuance of Reform in cilice lor another three wars seems to he an accession o' strength by Lnhniir that would impress tfe other progressive fortes. Rut float the moment seems as far beyond the range of probability as docs a working arrangement between Mr Coates and Mr 11. K. Holland. THE ONE PI.AN'K. Gram meagre reports ol his speech in Auckland ptblisii-d in the newspapers it appears that Mr I'orhrs indicated only one plank in the 1 nited Party's platform. That was the all important cue of clcetoral reform in the Miapc ot preferential voting. The I.a’our Party already had proclaimed its intention to apply this system of voting to the lit easing poll— w lie re it would meet as far as possible the needs ol the threeissue ballot paper - hut the f lilted Party would \ entitle still lurlher in making iL a remedy lor the evils ol minority rule. There is a suspicion abroad that the party is not so anxious to " cruel the pitch ” ol Labour as it is to establish itselt in the good graces of the Moderates who have conceived the idea that preferential voting would not he- helplill to the "Trade." That, however, is another story. Preferential voting, as every one now admits, would he it long way ahead of the second ballot, hilt proportional representation is the only system that would realise the ideals ol true democracy.