The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1931. POLITICAL REFORM

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1931. POLITICAL REFORM

The statement or manifesto issued by three Independent members of Parliament indicating proposals to bring out political reforms calc dated in their opinion to meet the political ills eve are afflicted with, h'as its good points and is provoking considerable discussion which may have some bearing on the final issues when Parliament meets. There is an urgent need for more cooperation in Parliament at this junture. Mr Forbes in a very self-sac rilioing way offered a start for creating a National Ministry which could have focussed its work on the amelioration of the conditions of the Dominion. The Independents, however, agreed that in a time of serious crisis, party differences should be forgotten, and considerations of political advantage .subordinated to a regard for the public welfare, there must be a large measure of agreement. It has Dcen frequently urged, as the Otago Times remarks, as it has been by the PiimeMinister, that the financial position of the Dominion requires that a strong Government should be formed, which would be supported by all parties in the House that realise the necessity for resolute and united action to pull

the country through and out of its

difficulties. The Leader of tlife Relorm 'Party, however, when approached by tiie Prime Minister with a suggestion that a fusion of the parties that have most in common should be brought aibout, saw fit to reject the oifer in the name'of his. party. As an alternative to the fusion proposal the three Independent members, who are acting in cooperation, advance a proposal that when Parliament re-assem-bles this month the Government should straightway resign and that the House should thereupon proceed to the election of a, Cabinet which would in turn elect its leader. The suggestion is unfortunately as impractical)'V as the sentiments that inspired it are laudable. Apart from the fact, which cannot be disregarded, that the - election of a Cabinet in the manner suggested would** be unconstitutional, there is the very serious objection that a Cabinet, chosen by the House, would not, in present circumstances, be in any way a representative Cab inet. Mr ’Contes has made it plain that he considers the interests of his party to be in such conflict with,those of the United Party that ho cannot conceive of their working together as ope party, and the whole philosophy of the Socialist Party' Is "based on theprinciple that its identity as a party must not under any conditions be sacrificed. It is simply iidle, therefore, to think of the adoption of the idea of an elective executive, and it is surprising that any three members of Parliament, with some little knowledge of the way in which the political machinery operates, should have committed thomselvees to .-i suggestion that is so futile. Another suggestion made hv the Independent members is, however, severely practical. There is no need in New Zealand, and, at the present time, no legitimate excuse ror the existence of a Government composed of as many members as form the existing (Administration. publ'e would welcome a reform that would substitute a smaller Cabinet consisting of men who are of proven capacity and of experience in departmental administration, for that of fourteen members that is now in office.