PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1930, Page 4

PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

I Parliament dropped into a 110-con- . fidence debate last week according to | custom. The general opinion seems to i be that Mr Coates was responsible with I the Reform Party generally, for a [ tactical mistake. At this stage there ; is nothing definite on which to attack [ the Government. Mr Coates has resorted to generalities, and in doing so ■, is attempting along with his Reform • colleagues, to defend their own past • administration. It is not a suitable opportunity to do l so, and it- is also a ' very short sighted policy to seek to up- ! ! set a Ministry when it is setting about 1 the execution of its policy. It should he known also to Mr Coates, as it seems to be known to the man in the street, that the Labour Party is going I to support the Government at this ! juncture, so that the fate of the fruitless discussion is sealed in advance. The Labour party has shown wisdom in its action, for it has realised public opinion, and is not doing anything to antagonise it. To defeat the Government at the moment, or to throw politics into absolute chaos, would rot be doing New Zealand a. good turn, and it is remarkable Mr Coates and those associated with him, have not realised it. The country does not want a- general election in the present state of affairs, but if that came to pass, probably the three-paa’ty system would receive a great shock, and Reform ■ in particular would receive the worst of it. The Forbes Ministry is in office in a very difficult time, and it has to do many unpleasant things.. It has started on defence, and the railways, and is cutting out the census costs at j this present. All this, it is under--j stood, is but a beginning Tor. what is to come. The Ministry is not seeking 1 nor will it receive marked popularity for its action, but it is attempting to do its duty boldly and fairly, and is earning public confidence. At eve"~v stage Mr Forbes has seen that the situation. as it presents itself to the Ministry, is fully explained to the people, and this openness is having a. good effect. Minbfers are meeting daily grappling with the national situation, and this honesty of pur nose is establishing the Government in public, opinion. Of 'course Depart merits which are being effected by the economy methods are not. taking too kindly to the curtailments, hut it. is obvious there must be a levelling down. The markets for primary produce reveal the measure of the national wealth available for tlie country’s welfare. The 1 value of the goodg is declining sub- j ■

st,antia-lly, and the future markets’a,re not too certain The primary producer is doing his best, by producing more, but this alone will not stem the tide. With a curtailed income, the, country must deal definitely With the dirift going on, and the Government both by speech and action lias realised what must be done, and is doing it. It is at such a critical stage that Mr Ooates is ill-advised enough to butt iri" and seek to depose the Government! Fortunately 1 lie will not succeed, or matters political would be very much at sixes and .sevens. Probably matters are at such a stage that if seeking their own particular we 1 fare Ministers might hone for a general election, but such a dislocation while in the act of setting the political house in order, would not be good for the country and th° step is rot desired hv the public at large. Mr Forbes and his colleagues a ,- e meeting the people freely, and various deputations have been giving free expression of their view's on vaiv ions subjects. Every word uttered points to the; genuineness of their desire to retrieve a very difficult situation, and they are now. well on their wav to a definite presentation, of their poliev. With the early,; disposal of Mr Coates’ fu+i’e mp+ion, the HoufK» in particular, will settle . down to real business, and measures will, disclose the Government proposals,to meet the present, very difficult position of the country.