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Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1930, Page 4

It was not a surprise to find that the lio-confidelice motion moVed in the House of ReprfeselitiitiVek by Mr Coates, Leader of the Opposition, met the fate generally expected. The motion was defeated almost by two to one. It seemed to bo a rebuff well deserved, for the adverse motion was moved very inopportunely. The Government is on its trial, but must be given time to show its mettle. Now that the debate on the Address-in-Reply is disposed of, Government must proceed with its policy, and on that it will be judged fir- - hand. Details of the measures to be presented to the House are now forthcoming, and will provide a fruitful scheme for discussion. The Budget is now appearing, so that there is fuller opportunity for the House to test the policy of the new Ministry. In the late • discussion, those who supported the Government outside tiie United adherents were very fair in the expression of their views. Both Labour and the Independents were, prepared to give Mr Forbes a fair trial, and we may be sure the Prime Minister does not ask for more than that. Mr Forbes has been long enough in Parliament to know what favours he may expect from opponents, and it will he impossible for him to trade on the [rood will of the House without justifying his position Mr Forbes is also open and frank iii all his statements, and will not deliberately mislead for any temporary party advantage In other words, he will play the game, and in doing so it is now his task to set the pace and keep Parliament busy with the bills the 1 party has prepared. Mr also has visions of leaving for England next month to attend the Imperial Conference, and on that account also he must be explicit with Parliament, and seek [to hurry rather than delay the public business necessary to be disposed of. No a great deal will turn on the Governments financial 1 proposals. Finance must be assured for the full year, and by that operation steps have to he taken to eliminate the serious d e bit which was forecasted unless the finances were radically overhauled. Mr Forbes has undertaken that task, and in resnoct to the Railways and. Defence there are indications that many economies i are being introduced. Naturally the cutting down is not ponular, and wiping nut of compulsory military training will be combatted in many quarters, but in the action taken by the Ministers, wo see evidence of courage' in tackling what will not bo popular generally, and a fixed intention and earnest desire to achieve tbe difficult task undertaken. The Government need all tbe encouragement possible, and it is regrettable there was a useless waste of, time over Mr Coates’s abortive motion. Now that the decks are clear, Parliament will have every justification for giving the fullest at- j tent-ion to the nolicv of the Govern- | ment on its merits