The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1931. THE PROGRAMME.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1931. THE PROGRAMME.

It is interesting to note that Mr Holland, .the Leader of the Labour party, is anxious for an, early session. Mr Holland likes the lime light of publicity, and no doubt when Parliament does meet an evergreen motion of rioconfidence will be produced to waste the time of the House instead of attending to the business of the country. It has beeii said that Parliament

would likely be called Together mi February, which is probably the earliest suitable date. It will be necessary to know how revenue Is coming in9"Th£' figures for the December quarter will be available, and the Treasury will have its knowledge of the income tax payments to date, and It wall then be for the Government to decide the course of action, The visit of the Minister of Fimnw? to Honolulu to meet the Canadian Minister in respect to a trade agreement, must also he taken into account, a 3 it is doubtful if the session can be held to advantage in the absence of the Minister of Finance. Mr Holland professes concern. regarding unemployment, but his cannot be greater than that- of the Government winch has continued to do everything possible. As’ a matter of fact New Zealand is doing more for its unemployed than any other country. If Mr Holland is so concerned and if the heart of the Labour bleeds- as it would he inferred, then it is the clear duty of that political section to come forward with helpful proposals within the means at hand, and not stand off reviling the efforts of those who are doing all possible within the finance available to handle the situation. The aloofness of the party at such a juncture is not at all creditable. Unemployment is not going to be cured readily*. There ife not one country, even those with stores of gold, which ■is able to handle the menace- successfully. That means that the uphill fight to overcome it-must go on steadily, and it would .be more quickly accomplished if there were wholehearted support by the politicians to assist the Government. Every step taken has been the subject of severe criticism which has influenced the minds of those suffering from unemployment. The Labour party has not acted with a view to the matter being dealt with peaceably, and this attitude might well be revised in the interests of the unemployed who have had false, hopes raised by the vain promises to restore wages and provide work for all. There was also the preaching of wliat was purely class war, creating the belief that employers and workers had nothing in common, and so causing a spirit of unrest. There is now the need for the fullest unity and united action if an advance is to he made. The Government is composed of men bent on the purpose of doing all they can to uplift the Dominion out of its pressing difficulties, and it has been made plain that the co-operation of the Labour natty will he appreciated. With the door wide ajar, there is not the excuse now to rail against what- is being done, —but- to slip in and assist.