The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1929. A DEFINITE ISSUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1929. A DEFINITE ISSUE.

The political situation \yas defined very clearly by Mr Hollarid, Labour Leader, when lie spoke on the Reform 110-con-tidence motion. There had been reports and rumours of political intrigue whereby it was to capture Labour as an ' ally for the time being to oust the Government. That such a possibility could arise was rendered impossible by Mr Holland, who, if he wished to go back on what he said, has now burned all his bridges and leaves the party he leads definitely against Reform, The leader of the Labour party, Mr H. E. Holland, announced in the House, without qualification, that his party would vote against Mr Coates’ amendment. The situation as it appealed to them was not whether the primage duty, and the land tax policy right, but whether they should votei) to put the Reform party back cn the Treasury benches. “And,” said Mr Holland, “we may take it that whatever else is left in doubt, at the general election, this fact stood out above all others, that the people of this country had made up their minds the Reform Government had to go. An overwhelming majority of ejected members and votes cast in the constituencies against the Reform party is proof of the people’s feelings in that direction. It is true it was the Labor party’s propaganda which pulled the Reform party down after three years on the Opposition benches. The Labour party ploughed and sowed, but the. United party reaped. Continuing; Mr Holland declared that this was the point to be decided upon when the division bells rang. He was of the opinion that the people would hold it against the Labour party if they gave

. loir votes to put Reform back on the Treasury benches. Mr Holland asked the country to look at the situation from the working farmer’s point of view —.the unparalleled mortgagehold on the community, the Reform party’s original opposition to State advances, which it called a .State pawnshop, and the existence of a mortgage liability of £3OOOOOOOO on a capital value of £600,000,000. But for State advances, the mortgage rates of interest would be the higher, and the grip of the mortgagee far more serious than at present - . “I am prepared to give a vote to displace the present Government at any time when the Labour party can replace them on the Treasury benches,” said Mr Holland. Ho emphatically repeated that whatever his party’s views on the primage tax or the land tax proposals, it was decidedly against placing the Reform party on the Treasury benches once more. Taking the whole of the facts into consideration, and weighing up the whole position carefully, they had come to the conclusion that they should

vote ugainst the amendment, “and,” concluded Mr Holland, “we will take our own course to meet every situation as it arises.”, Nothing could be more do finite, and it is well to have it so as a means to- assure Parliament functioning properly. The Government to ho a success, must have some reasonable measure of security behind it. As the parties stand, the United are in a minority, should the other two parties combine in opposition, but following the Labur ideularation, sir Joseph ..ard is in a clearer atmosphere, and is able to move more, freely. Mr Holland was impelled to contrast the lleform policy with that of the Liberals in regard to State advances, and thereby demonstrated the ability of the Liberals to rule wisely and economically,; and in such a way as to relieve borrowers of an increased mortgage rate. Sir Joseph was instrumental in initiating the cheaper money scheme for the country, and. knew its value. That knowledge and understanding doubtless prompted him on his return. to office to give immediate attention to the provision of more loans for State advances. 'The effect on trade generally thereby has been most favourable. Building and improvements are going ahead and in our own midst the effect is being felt by additional money being made available for loans. The democratic value of the Liberal policy stands out in this instance, and is in keeping with the splendid record of the party in the past. Mr Holland was only fair in emphasising the situation; and he was undoubtedly right in his conclusion that-.if tithe vote of Labour were cast to put Reform back to office the people would 'Hold -it tygairist Labour members at the next appeal to tne • electors;:’. Realising ••= this obvious state of affairs makes the position all the more secure for the Government which has some assurance now of funning the full parliamentary term under its present composition. One complex political issue has therefore been settled very definitely, arid on tlirit account the way is clear for the Government policy now to he unfolded steadily.