The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1930. POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1930. POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

Although id is not so .eng suice “the talking snop" closed dow u , and there was in the air some taiic of a special session in the new year to consider railway and otner mutteits; ' political* prospects ahead are occasioning concern to certain sections, There is a good deal of subdued activity in politics up and down the D'riminion, Mr Uoates has beetl moving about. There war, dews the other day of tne opening Of special headquarters for He form in Wellington on club lines, and from time to time there ip mention of the selection of candidate?! for the West election to carry the Reform banner against sitting opponents. Mr Holland, too, on behalf of the Labour party, did a short tour of the North Island after the close of the session, to meet various unions and sound a warning note in regard to the coming fray. There is no doubt Labour purposes at next general electron making a strong bid for office. Lalxkir is not disposed to hasten the time of the election, desiring to wait for the ordinary period following the effluxion of the present Parliament. Labour has had it in its power all along .by-co-operating with Reform, to defeat the United Government, but has preferred to bide its time, preferring the Uniteds to the Reformers in power. Possibly there has been some degree of bargaining to that end, Labour being always hopeful of more advanced legislation from the present party m power than from the party under Mi Coates’ leadership. Be that as it may, Mr Holland has been very frank in his confession of support to the Government, and he is not likely to depart from that attitude till another appeal to tho people is inevitable in the ordinary course. The suggestion of a coalition between the Uniteds and Reformers is revived from time to time without effective result, and there does not appear to be any likelihood now of that coming to pass. The Uniteds include a- radical element which will have none of the old order of government, and so that idea may be relegated to the impossible. The Government for its part is pursuing the even trend of its wav, Mr Poi bes has carried himself well in his new office, and hip lieutenants have displayed their ability and capability as responsible Ministers. In short, the Government Ims done well within its limitations for it must be remembered it Ims not a majority backing, and so then is not the possibility of putting through a thoroughly Liberal policy. Still, tho Government has not shirked itis duties on large issues, and has gone steadily forward with its programme. It is not an opportune time To be in office with so much financial stringency abroad. The Government has not tho luck of big prices for produce. and the days of cheap and ready money are not with us now. Those conditions are a considerable handicap, but in spite of the burden and restrictions of the times, the Government is doing ins job and carrying on without dislocation or serious disorganisation. It is making a genuine effort to keen the finances right, and seems to he. doing so without seriouslv affecting the general rate of expenditure. Polk would like to see more done in the matter of curtailing unnecessary expenditure, but that is not an eaisy task with the degree of unemployment abroad, r l o reduce stalls is to' increase unemployment, and create a fresh burden in another quarter. Much is expected from tho Un-

employment Act. which is s>, definite effort by the Government to meet the plight of tbo country in regard to work lor the workless. If any material advance can he made in that diroeton, the Government will earn much reflected glory for the first legtlnrite effort to overcome the national bogey of to-day. As to the special session, it is a doubtful quantity at the moment, and it will nut be decided upon till Mr Forbes returns. Meantime his colleagues are doing their part creditably and with the Prime Minister’s return a better idea of the political ,prospects ahead, will he revealed.