Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1929, Page 4

The adverse motion proposed by Mr Coates to test the House in regard co the Budget of Sir Joseph Ward, will no doubt create a good deal of stir and interest in the immediate fate of the Government. With the House composed as at present, and the Government without any assured majority, all things are possible. There are, however indications that a fusion between Reform and Labour to oust the present Government is one of'the most unlikely political events to happen. Mr Holland as leader of the Labour PaHy has made it plain that he does not wish to see Reform helped back to office, and it may be expected than on any noconfidence motion such as is now proposed, Labour will vote with the,Government. This nnt-withstaoding that some of the rank and file of Labour have been as critical of the Budget as some of the Reformers. Mr Coates is quite within his rights in testing the feeling of the House on the vital issue of the continuance of the Government. The only question which might be raised is that Mr Coates has stated quite publicly that he was prepared to give the Government “a fair run,” and would not seek to hamper them to get their policy before the country. However, the late Government has been rather badly handled liv some of the I United Ministers revealing certain sins j of commission which did not reflect too well to the credit of the late Government, and it is conceivable that Mr Coates requires to get “one back.” However," a Reform Party conference has been held in Wellington, and probably behind closed doors it was arranged for the Government to be attacked, not only as a tactical move aaginst the party in power, to “showup” the. now taxation proposals, hut also as a means to tekt the political sincerity of Labour. Probably the least

perturbed in is all is Sir Joseph himself. He is best aware of all, of his ultimate political safety. Much as politics may be in the melting pot just now, Sir Joseph, is the leader the public have most confidence in, and he would willingly go to the country with his policy, and in doing so would not only win through, but would return to the House with an absolute majority. Labour has fully realised that eventuality, and has determined long ago that it will be best to keep Parliament as it is, with Labour holding the balance. In that way it is in some degree of power. and has to be taken count of, but Following an immediate General Election, it .would lose that position of prominence and opportunity. Nevertheless, Sir Joseph is not leaving anything to chance, and in all the centres supporters of the United Party are organising their followers, and will be ready for any possible emergency. It is clear from this that the Government means to hold its own beyond question, and being thus organised is already forearmed against sudden eventualities arsing from no confidence motions.