LABOUR SAVES THE GOVERNMENT FROM DEFEAT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40017, 31 October 1929, Page 3

LABOUR SAVES THE GOVERNMENT FROM DEFEAT.

The Government was again saved from defeat by the allegiance of Labour on the no-confidence amendment to the Customs Amendment Bill, moved by the Leader of the Opposition on Tuesday night. Mr. Holland, the leader of the Labour Party in explaining Labour’s attitude, said: “I have to measure up whether this amendment is a*big enough thing to turn the United Government out of office. I am prepared to turn the United Government out of office to-morrow provided the Labour Party can take their place. 'That is the position I take up. It is the one I have taken up consistently since the last general election. U will vote the United Government out of office as soon as the Labour Party can take their place. I won’t vote them out to place a worse Government in their place. . . . We have to choose between the greater evil of placing the Reform Party back on the Treasury benches and the lesser evil of the primage duty, even as it stands after the concessions made to the Labour Party. “THE BAG CARRIER.” Ah'. D. Jones (Reform, Mid-Can-terbury), said if there bad not been an amendment before the House he would have moved a motion of sympathy with Mr. Holland. (Laughter). The Leader of the Labour Party had candidly admitted that lie was carrying the bag of the Prime Minister; in fact, lie had confessed that his mission in life was to keep the Reform Party out no matter bow great the evil it put in its place. Mr. Holland should not be surprised at the Labour Party drifting back very rapidly in New Zealand. Mir. Holland bad not said a word when the Land Bill was under discussion. Why had he taken part in the debate that night seeing the Customs Bill was not his own? The Labour Party had put up a .smoke-screen, but a very ineffective one. Mi’. Holland was in a difficult position. He had left the wealthy people who controlled the United Party absolutely alone and had taken tlie money from the men and women who could least afford it. His only explanation was that he wanted to keep Reform off the Treasury Benches. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon): W r o would join with old Nick to keep the Tories out. (Loud laughter). Mr. Jones: You have always joined with him. Wle are pleased to have that admission, but I don’t think the United Party will thank vou for the compliment.