The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1931. PROGRESS IN PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1931. PROGRESS IN PARLIAMENT

It has been predicted that the present week in Parliament will be a strenuous one, due to the fact that the Government economy proposals containing in the measure will be subjected to a con. tiauous bombardment- by the Labour Party in particular. it is the Labour Party which lm» been at pains to organise the sustained opposition, It seems equally certain that the Government wil stand to its guns, and maintain its proposals, or fall by them, AH sorts of contingencies are possible as an outcome of this week’s political events. This, notwithstanding that in the debate on the bill last week, the members of the Government made the position of the country perfectly clear. The contribution to the debate by Sir Apirana Ngata was important, because that Minister is Chairman of the Cabinet Economy Committee, lie hinted at retrenchment on top of the cut, and it. seems certain that will come to puss. The Government it is clear expects discipline within the party. The United Party is facing the crisis of its oxsteuce and must be solid. The defection of Mr Black was dealt with promptly, indicating the earnestness of the Government in its task. Despite its lack of numbers, Cabinet decided to ostracise Air Black, and preferred to carry on one less in number, but sure of its support within. This leaves no doubt whatever about Air Forbes’ tactics He is out to nut Ivis policy through as considered host for the country, and if Parliament will not have it, then someone else must shape the policy. This attitude shows how momentous is the issue to-day. It is doubtful now if the session can onu soon—the only incident to effect that would be apparently the defeat of tne Government. But folk will he wonder, ing why all this wordy fighting is going oil and nothing practical is done for the good of the country. Those opposing the Government policy are mainly fighting the Civil Service “cuts” and the revision of awards under the Arbitration law. Responsible Ministers have pointed out over again how urgently necessary the “cuts" lire, but the Civil Service have votes, and there are Members of Parliament who are angling for the support to he had from such votes at tinpolls. As to the revision of the arbit ration law, there is nothing unrair in that for both sides will have the fullest opportunity to place respective eases for the deliberation of the Court, and only on the merits of each individual ease, can any reduction in the award be made. Tt is a perfectly honest and fair course, and the opposition to it favours of fear to submit a case to an independent jurisdiction which has been accepted in the past. ’I he strain and delay of the present week in Parliament will drive many people to believe in a National Government at this juncture to lead the country along safe and sane lines of administration. The present spectacle in Parliament is influencing public opinion strongly in that direction. As the parties now stand there is a palpable futility in the flow of verbosity, for all the rhetorie is wasted oil sections which will not be convinced. With a numerically strong Government the aspect would be changed for there would lie the certainty that the party in power could impose its will, and the sooner Dominion politics reach that stage the better for the welfare of the country as a whole. Parliament is becoming something of n bear-garden, and it is time it was filled to the higher level of behaviour foi which its deliberations are notable usually.