WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1929, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE UNITED PARTY.

AN IMPATIENT MEMBER.

(Special Corn jpondent.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. The threat of Mr J. S., Fletcher, the Inember for Grey Lynn in the House of [Representatives last night to throw V in his lot with the ; Opposition unless -the Government abandoned its method of relieving the unemployment trouble and adopted his own Las occasioned

but a small sensation in political cir-

cles. Young members pf Parliament v of Mr Fletcher’s temperament are apt ,to grow weary of the tedious ways df constitutional government and to forget that the things which • might be clone in a day by the individual may occupy the crowd for a month or a year or even a decade. - The member for Grey Lynn would not better himself nor liis constituents, nor the unemploy- • ed by crossing the floor of the House m the way he has threatened to do, and his impetuosity might gravely impair his reputation'as a politician. By this time a little reflection should have brought him to a sounder frame of mind.

IMPERIAL DEFENCE. The Hon. T. M. Wilford should not be greatly perturbed by a reproach cast upon him in the editorial columns of the local morning paper to-day. The Minister of Defence is an out-and-out believer in the solidarity of the farflung Empire, and he is not ashamed ,to admit that the authorities at Home know more ; about naval defence than do the members of the New Zealand Parliament. It is laid to his charge by the Opposition, indeed, that in the remote past,,, ip his “grandiose Imeprialism” he declared himself for his country “right or wrong.” His offence to-day, it seems, is that he does not insist upon the Dominion having the last word in regard to the naval defence of its own shores. “He is prepared to follow slavishly” it is proclaimed, “wheresoever the British Government's leading - strings guide him”. And still he dares to hold up his head in decent society and smile.

THE POLITICAL BAROMETER. The “Post” which, with a general election afar off probably exercises more genuine independence than does any other newspaper in the Dominion, i his evening analyses the doubts and difficulties of the member for Grey Lynn with judicial precision. “There is little doubt” it says, “that Mr Fletchr’s protest and his threat reflect in a measure the change of opinion that ip i.oming over the country.” The change lias not been generally observed, except by those who desire it, but the “Post” is not seeking to precipitate > rhe downfall of the Government. “Inreaeed activity in borrowing is not '•. holly to the good,” it. reminds its • : eaders, . “but • there has been increased activity. Further, a Transport Department has been established and a Transport; Bill is expected shortly.” On some other points, the . “Post’s” sym-. nathy is rather with the Government han with Mr Fletcher. It looks as if nother appeal to the constituencies will not be just yet.

POOR SPORT. There has been a good deal of comment lately upon the unusual amount • f acrimony displayed between members of the House of Representatives both within and without the Chamber, -ince the beginning of the session, the oldest members of the House remember; no other Parliament in which i personal affronts have been so frequent Jne of the local newspapers' in giving prominence to this very undesirable levelopment by publishing anonymous ,'etters in which members of the House are held up to ridicule or to worse. This morning a letter a full column long appears dated from Nelson in

which the poorly . disguised author recites all the' ridicule that has been heaped upon a political bookworm who s alleged to have quoted Shapespere and lesser without mentioning their names, Immediately below this effusion is a letter signed “Warrior” deprecating a member of the House who has retained his war title of ‘ ‘Colonel”. Surely this is not the kind of humour to be encouraged.