WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1928, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE POLITICAL CRISIS

PARLIAMENT MEETS NEXT WEEK

(Special to “Guardian”.)

WELLINGTON, November 26

It is understood, as the conventional phrase goes, that the members of the Cabinet were not unanimous in tbe decision to summon Parliament to determine the result of the recent general election. Several of bis colleagues, it is stated, would have had the Prime Minister tender his resignation at once and so throw upon Sir Joseph Ward and his supporters the task of forming a Ministry from which, at the moment, does not look particularly assuring. Mr Coates,, however, doubtless saw the advantage of definitely pledging his followers' to Reform before Sir Joseph Ward set about forming a United Ministry from such material as may be at his disposal. A message from Christchurch on Saturday suggesting that half a dozen of the rank and file of the Reform Party were prepared to cast in their .lot' with. Sir Joseph Ward lacks confirmation, to put it mildly, but Mr Coates is anxious to have the whole position reviewed before he definitely decides upon a course of action. . . BRIEF SESSION EXPECTED. The “ Dominion ” expects the proceedings in the House next week’ to be of the briefest possible character. “The business,” it says, “should only occupy n few days ; and should be over in less than n week. After the swear-ing-in of members and the election of a Speaker, a want-of-confidence motion will be moved by Sir Joseph Ward, and there is no reason'why the following debate should be'prolonged. With the United Party and the Labour-Soc-ialist Party voting against the Government the motion should be carried, and Sir Joseph Ward would then-he called on to form a Ministry. He will then presumably ask for an adjournment of the House until the usual time in June of next year.” Whether or not the proceedings will be as simple as the “Dominion” predicts will depend upon the attitude of Labour, which in addition to expressing its disapproval of Reform may have a good deal to. say about the shortcomings of''United. In that case there might be a deal of; talking. LABOUR’S ATTITUDE. At the moment there appears to be some difference of opinion and intention in the ranks of Labour as to its attitude towards,Sir Joseph Ward and the United Party. Mr Holland lias declared Labour to be “ master of the position ” as Sir Joseph Ward can hold office only at the- will of.the Labour Party.” The newspaper organ of the party, however, states that “ Labour has everything to gain by allowing Sir Joseph the opportunity to implant his policy. Thousands of people entertain the sincere cortviction that the United Party under his leadership can set New Zealand on the path to prosperity. Very well, for their sakes Sir Joseph Ward should be tested.” The “New Zealand Worker” does not regard Sir Joseph Ward as a “ wizard of finance” and it would not be disappointed by bis failure; but it recognises that it could not put him out of office without tbe assistance of Reform, which might not be forthcoming. Meanwhile individual members df the Labour Party are entirely friendly towards Sir Joseph. THE RURAL REVOLT. One of the most remarkable features of the recent general election was the large turnover of rural votes from the Reform Party to the United Party. With the Hon. A. D. McLeod, the Minister of Lands, a farmer himself, defeated by a city dweller, it is unnecessary to quote any other instances. Even now it is difficult to discover in what particular direction the sins of the Government, in the estimation of the men and women'on the land, lay. Some critics have said that Mr McLeod has been too harsh in dealing with defaulting soldier settlers; others have insisted that he has been too lenient. It has been objected, on one side, that the Government has spent too much money upon.the Massey College, S and it has been insisted, on the other, that the college is misplaced and mismanaged. And so oh and so on until the disinterested listener wonders on what basis the politics of the agrarian population rest.