POLITICAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3882, 11 December 1928, Page 3

POLITICAL

Christchurch, December 8. The opinion that the new Government will be able to carry on and that there is not likely to be another general election for two years at the earliest was expressed to-day by Mr. D. G. iSullivan, M.P., the senior Whip of the Labour Party. Mr. Sullivan stated that Mr. Coates, on behalf of the Reform Party, and Mr. H. E. Holland, on behalf of the Labour Party, had both intimated that they would bo guided in their attitude by the character of the legislation that Sir Joseph Wjard brought down. “There will be no arbitrary or querulous opposition, but an absolutely honest judging on its merits of every matter that comes before the House,” Mr. Sullivan added. “It is my personal view that there is not likely to be a general election for a couple of years at the earliest unless it arises from a sudden and impulsive action on the part of someone in authority. There is not the slightest doubt that the retiring Prime Minister’s speech was the finest effort he has ever made in Parliament, and his sporting attitude and promise of support for good legislation was generously recognised by the other parties as entirely creditable to him. Mr. H. E. Holland’s speech was also the subject of favourable comment on all sides.”

Concluding an editorial comment on the recent political decision, the Wellington “Post” of Saturday says : “Sir Joseph Ward should, in his position of responsibility think and talk more warily than he has hitherto done. During the campaign it was inevitable that he should magnify the sins of the then Government, and he may even have been right in saying that he would vote with Mr. Holland “like a shot” in order to turn it out, though fortunately for him it was Mr. Holland who had to vote with him, instead of vice versa. But since the election Sir Joseph’s tone has been far too shrill, too provocative, too peremptory for one who could only speak for a minority of the electors. His new responsibility demands a greater dignity and restraint. Mr. Holland was ready to vote with Sir Joseph “like a shot” yesterday, but cannot be expeeted to make a habit of it. For the present a non-La-bour coalition is of course a sheer impossibility, but the main security for the new Government must be goodwill and the co-operation of the Reform Party. In the interests of the country and in the interests of the Government itself,'Sir Joseph Ward may be expeeted to recognise the fact, and with no sacrifice of his ideals to direct his policy accordingly.”