WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1931, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

Political parties co-operate. ROUND TABLE CONSULTATION. (Special Correspondent). WELLINGTON, August 24. The “Man in the Street” was well ahead pf the evening newspapers with the story that at the afternoon sitting of the House of Representatives on Friday Mr Coates, the Leader of the Opposition, would obtain permission to unfold a scheme by which tile three political parties would be able to cooperate closely in enabling tbe country to overcome the grave difficulties by which it was confronted. By noon the impending development was a matter of fairly wide discussion, and Oi piediction of a more or less startling character; hut by the time Mr Coates bad unfolded his scheme both the attentive floor of the House and the packed galleries were able to breathe again. Nothing more startling was divulged than that Mr Coates, and presumably a majority of the members of his party, were prepared to meet the members of the other parties with a, view of taking immediate action to cope unitedly with ‘the difficulties that were'confronting the Dominion. Party Harmony. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Labour Party both welcomed Mr Coates’ proposal—the Prime Minister obviously a little rfiore cordially, than the Leader of the Labour Party —and the Leader of the Opposition had good reason to bo gratified by their reception of his suggestion. Of course his idea was not a new conception. As far back as March last, during the early emergency session of Parliament, Mr James McCombs, the member for Lyttelton, moved a recommendation in' the House to the effect that the members should assemble at a round-table conference to formulate measures for dealing with the grave difficulties besetting the country. Mr McCombs’ own proposals were on such the same lines as those suggested by Mr Coates but at that time were not thought wholly appropriate to the occasion. At the close of the ..short session'Mr Forbes opened the doors of advice and negotiation wide to all the parties, and his welcome to Mr Coates’ proposal is entirely consistent- with his bearing throughout his term of office. Party Representation. Mr Forbes not only prompt'v noeonted the suggestion of the Leader of the Opposition borrow'd in a measure ‘min the proposals of Mr McCombs and the Prime Minister himself—fbut bp speedily set about bringing it to Irnitiori. The Prime Minister; .made a happy choice in the selection of Mr R. A. Ransom and Sir Apirnna Ngata as his companions at the round-table gatherings. Mr Coates was no.less fortunate in having'Mr W. Downie'fStownrt -•“id Mr D. Jones as: his supports, and Mr H. E.‘ Holland could not, have chosen

better., colleagues than Mr M, J. Savage and Mr J. McCombs. Mr Holland and lii's colleagues, it is understood, will take their seats at the table with a determination to have the general election held at the ordinary time whatever else may be sacrificed, the Labour Party having persuaded itself that under the present system of election it requires but thii ty scats to reach the Treasury Benches at the up- , preaching election. High Tributes. The “Evening Post” in reviewing, the new conditions brought about b,> Mr Forbes’ acceptance of Mr Coates proposal pays well deserved tributes to two prominent figures in paying the way to unity. “For more than ten months,” it says, “Mr Forbes has carried such a- load of responsibility as no previous Premier or Finance Minister has ever had to carry, and be lias done it with a calmness, a courage, and an efficiency that are beyond praise. But it is due to himself personally no less than to the country that the responsibility should be lightened by the spreading of the burden, and t-lier© is no single feature of yesterday’s proceedings that is calculated to inspire greater satisfaction and confidence than the inclusion of Mr Downie Stewart in the Committee which is to help the Government with advice on tile financial position.” Higher tributes could not he paid to these two politicians whose devotion always has been rather to country than to party.