PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3883, 13 December 1928, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

- NEW MINISTRY IN OFFICE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.* After , formal business had been .transacted and the Prime Minister had announced to the House the members of the neAV Cabinet the Leader of the Opposition 7 (Mr. Coates) said he desired to congratulate Sir Joseph Ward and those whom he had associated Avith him. Sir Joseph had done a great deal for NeAV Zealand v and the fact that he Avas a popular figure in the public imagination had been largely responsible for the present state of the House. Sir Joseph had assumed a great responsibility and it was for those in opposition •to make those responsibilities as easy as possible in vieAV of the present political situation. Mr. Coates paid, a Avarm tribute to the members of his former secretarial staff and to the heads of the Government departments and commended them to the new Administration. He then concluded by making the folloAving statement on the subject of his party’s attitude toAvards the Government :

The leader of the United Party definitely declared that his party will not agree to any Avorking agreement betAveen the United Party and the Reform Party in order to bring about a strong and stable Government. There does not therefore appear to be any purpose to be served hv discussing possibilities of this nature. I feel therefore that great responsibility is thrown upon the shoulders of the Reform Party. I have endeavoured to make an impersonal survey of the situation and while there are several attractive and alluring courses of action from the point of view 6f party tactics yet on reflection they appear insignificant as compared Avith the responsibility Ave are under of rendering the best service possible to the people of New Zealand.

Therefore insofar as the United party brings forward measures that accord with our policy or appear to us to be in the public interests we will not obstruct them but assist to carry them out.' But naturally and necessarily avo reserve the right to criticise and oppose any measures or administrative actions Avhich Ave may consider inimical to the best interests of New Zealand. On these questions we must judge the situation as it develops and cannot make any general committment. .Mr. H. E. Holland, leader of the Labour Party also offered his congratulations to the New Prime Minister and his Government. He was interested to note that the leader of the Opposition had practically adopted the attitude toAvards the Government outlined by him '(Mr. Holland) on a former occasion.

He could assure Sir Joseph Ward that the Labour party Avould never be found voting against his Government when they Avere right. Sir Joseph Ward said he desired to express his Avarm sense of appreciation of the sentiments expressed by the leader of the Opposition. Covering the points of Mr. Coates’ speech he reciprocated the high encomiums passed upon the public service and said in his long experience he only knew one member of that service avlio had proved unfaithful to his trust. He kneAV the Government could rely on receiving good service. He had no fear regarding the loyalty of publio servants.

■Discussing Mr. 'Coates’ statement on the subject of fusion between the Reform and United parties Sir Joseph said the position Avas perfectly clear. The party lines were quite definite. When they were before the people Reform Avas appealing for a policy of stand-still and the United party Avas out for progression. 'He represented over tAvo hundred thousand people who not satisfied with either of the other tAvo parties. The United Party was out for a new system of obtaining money to provide borroAving requirements for settlers and those Avho wanted homes. He Avantcd the House to give him what he had a right to have, namely time and opportunity to investigate the financial position.

The late Minister of Finance told him there were fourteen millions worth of borrowing authorities available to him but of what use were those authorities if he could not use them in the way he desired to use them. That was what he wanted to look into and he was entitled to the opportunity to do it. How then could he agree to coalition with the party that had been steadfastly opposing the -policy of the United Party. While he was prepared to show every respect for the opinions of the Reform party it was no use their saying the United Party did not count because it did count. He appreciated their goodwill but they must have time to develop in detail the policy which in a general way they had outlined to the people. To-morrow he would be busy taking the opinions of the legal officers of the Crown on the financial position both in New Zealand and in London and for that purpose he proposed to ask the House to adjourn for a day or two. With regard to the congratulations of the leader of the Labour party he accepted' them in the spirit in which he was sure they were offered but what he wanted Mr. Holland to recognise was when they were wrong they wanted his support. He then moved that they adjpurn for two. days and at 4 p.m. the House rose till 2.30 on Thursday.