WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1932, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

PROPOSED EXTENSION.

FROM THREE YEARS TO FOUR

(Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON,.. April 28

During a casual interview, ;■ between [jobs' as he was pleased to say, the Prime Minister,was good enough to explain why lie and his colleagues were of the opinion that the proposal for the prolongation of Parliament, from three years, to four should,bo made now and not; delay until a later session. “I realise,die said, “that Mr Massey and his colleagues in the National Cabinet at the time of the Great War did the,(right thing in withholding the announcement of the prolongation of the House of Representatives until towards the close of the third session (in 1917) and again towards the close of the fourth session (1918). Reformers and Liberals working to-, gether, with the cordial assistance of half a dozen members, put party differences and prejudices aside, and, as we were specially reminded the other day, lent an eager hand in overcoming the difficulties and perils that confronted the Empire, and indeed, the world at large.” Both to Mr Massey and t< Sir Joseph Ward their, successor was ready with timely approbation.

TO DAY'S PROBLEMS. Turning from the Great War to the economic troubles of the present day Mr Forbes wished to make no comparison, odious or otherwise, between tin two catastrophes'.)' They really bore insignificant resemblance, lie protested, unless it was that the 1 financial needs of the war, and its extravagances, hac tended more or less to. lavish expend iture. The immediate need of the Do minion in its present difficulties wa; such unanimity among the, members of its Parliament as prevailed between 1915 and 1918. The Labour Part) 'of to-day, however, had chosien to separate itself from the United Party and the Reform Party, now consoli - dated es the Coalition Government, ■and to employ every possible means t' retard their efforts towards the resuscitation of the affairs of the .country The leader of the Labour Party, whc with two of . his colleagues had sat or equal, terms with the Parliamentary Economic Committee, had chosen tc say he had not been invited to join hands with tho subsequent - Coalition Party, but the facts plainly were against him.

THE DIFFERENCE. The statement of the Prime Minister to the effect that he had definitely invited the Leader of the Labour Party to associate himself -and his followers with’the United and Rofoi-m parties in planing the affairs of the Dominion upon a' substantial basis was established./, by un-'-isputabl* authority. It must ||ollow then that it is due to no lack courtesy or patriotism on the part of the Prime Minister and his colleagues that Mr H. E. Holland has assured the role of Leader of the Oppositigji with the definite purpose of obstructing as far as he may the policy of) the Coalition Government. In these with the certainty’that the Labour Opposition ‘ will obstruct the progress of'.the Government's policy • and administration al every opportuttity that may • come its, way, it is not surprising that.' Mf Forbes and his. colleagues /even at this stage should contemplate'? tlib need for an extra session ofParliament for the completion of their task. The permanent extension ofi( ; . the period, would be another matter. M

WAR AND FINANCE. Taken all in all seemingly the Great War er end.ng from 1914 to 1918 and the Economic Upheaval o 1 the present day will remain for mam years as the most striking landmark; in the history of the Dominion. The Earl of Liverpool was 'Governor General here during the war, his term o office extending from June 1912 tc July 1920, and Lord Bledisloe is his successor to-day with a ‘ task nc less onerous than that of ; any of his predecessors, with the exception per haps of that of Sir George Grey from 1845 to 1853, ai d from 1961 to 1868. The Earl of Liverpool rendered a very real service io the Dominion, ■am indeed to the Empire, when he brought Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward together in the formation of the National Cabinet when they had utterly fail ed in their own efforts towards this goal. It is too early yet even to mention the tactful offices Lord Bledisloe has rendered iri paving the way towards rehabilitation;, lint history in g_ >d time will toll of his services.