The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1929. THE POLITICAL GAME.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1929. THE POLITICAL GAME.

I [Politics certainly induces strange j bed-fellows at tunes, us tJie saying goes.. Last week Labour went into the lobby with the Liberals, as against ■ the Reform no-conliaenee motion. Tli.s week the tables were turned, and Reform joined up with the Liberals against the Labour no-com.dence motion. These little alarms and excursions no doubt enliven the political game, but they are amusing to the onlooker. Reform in the nrst instance, sought to score off the Government over taxation. The Government found the country’s financed did not balance, ami the Reform deficiency had to he made good. Leslie the fact mat all the cards were on the table, Reform refused to accept any assurances on the matter, and sought to •oust the Government. T'fie plot failed. Next the G'ivil Service “cuts” came forward, and Labour bent on securing the goodwill, if nothing more of the Civil Servants, all of whom are electors, sought to restore the cuts. Again the Government placed all the cards on the table and left no doubt why the “cuts” could not be restored at this juncture. But Reform came to the rescue, and the no-confidence motion was defeated, ft is rather a pity matters took that turn, because if there was such a definite issue Before the people as the Labour party sought to create, it would have been well allround, if the country decided once and for all on this Civil Service issue. But it would appear, although the Liberals are prepared to face the people on its financial policy, tiie other parties are not, and the game is so played that parties seek to score in the public estimation by these alarms and excursions. On the general question both of taxation and “cuts,” the Government has everything in its favour. There was a deficit, and it has to fie made good. Until it is made good, no sane Government could agree to give away the half-a-million involved, just for the sake of temporising, or angling for the Civil Service vote. The duty of the Government is to the country as a whole, and it lias to take up a sound policy and stick to it. All the statements by the Prime Minister have been to that end, and the work of Sir Joseph .Ward deserves appreciation, and he must he given time to unravel the present financial trouble. There is every reason to expect lie will, and on behalf of the Government it has been promised that the Civil Service will have fair consideration. Several Ministers are pledged to restore the “cuts.” hut it is obvious they cannot attempt to do that when the funds arc not in the Treasury. Neither Reform nor Labour come out of the business with any real distinction. National interests demand sound finance, vet both in turn have quoted against it apparently only in the hope ol seeking some party advantage. Had Reform carried its iio-conlideuce motion, it would have been on tho horns oi a dii- > enima when going before the electors again Equally so would Labour have

line! to pay. For its indiscretion in being so rash a.s to surest the restoration (»{' the “cut,” when the position of the country did not warrant it. So far a.s the Civil Service is <oneerned it may well hope to he saved From such Friends as Labour would he to it. On the other hand there is in Sir Joseph Ward an cx-Civil Servant who knows all about the position. Likew.se lie knows the remedy. The Civil Servants can afi'ord to trust Sir Joseph, being satisfied that he will give them and the country a Fair deal. This little political game we have referred to has added great kudos to the Liberals, whom the people will now he more inclined to trust than cvei.