IN RETROSPECT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26638, 8 December 1947, Page 4

IN RETROSPECT

THIS YEAR’S SESSION BATTLE OF TACTICS NEW MEMBERS DISCUSSED Political Correspondent WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. Now that the first session of the twenty-eighth Parliament is over, and Parliament Buildings have again assumed that deserted appearance which they wear during the recess, it is possible to review the session with some detachment and appraise the work of the two parties and their individual members. It was an interesting session, not because there were recurring moments of tension and drama —these were, in fact, surprisingly few—but because the parties were so evenly balanced in strength, and because so many new members, some of whom entered political life with ready-made reputations, were making their first appearance in the House. As to these, it may be said, right away, that few of them lived up. to expectations. On the Opposition side, in particular, several of fVje new members were disappointing. Only three stood out — Mr T. P. Shand, who was easily the best, Mr E. R. Neale, and Mr J, J. Maher. The others seemed to have very litle to say, and rarely said it with either force or conviction. A great improvement will be necessary next year if they are to stand on even terms with their more experienced colleagues. It was the first session for many, many years in which there were no Independents in the House. In the refinement of the party struggle the Independent has disappeared, and there is now no place for him. A straight line down the middle of the Chamber separated Government from Opposition, Labour from National, and althought National members on a few sporadic occasions voted with the Government, no Government member was ever so indiscreet as to vote with the Opposition. The most cunning of snares were laid. Mr Holland’s much-discussed Bill to abolish the Legislative Council, which he dropped like a bombshell into the placid atmosphere of a Friday afternoon, was put forward less with the idea that the Upper House might be summarily eliminated than with the mischievous notion that some members of the Government party, whose views about the Legislative Council had on past occasions been expressed with injudicious candour, might be tempted to vote for it. Clever But Legitimate. The session was throughout a battle of political tactics, in which the Opposition employed the forms of the House, cleverly but quite legitimately, to initiate impromptu debates on subjects distasteful to the Government. Motions for the adjournment of the House—a procedure which cannot be resorted to too often —were twice moved, once to force a discussion of hospital staffing problems, and the second time to bring, the transport of lime and the price of fertiliser into the arena. On this issue the Government realised its untenable position and consented to _ have the question reopened, with the result that the former concessions have been .-.to a large extent restored. . -••- Every Imprest Supply Bill found the Opposition well armed to debate an issue of current interest. By this means the electric power‘shortage was brought under critical review within three days of the opening of the session.

The Government introduced a formidable programme of legislation, far heavier than had been anticipated in view of its narrow majority, and the only limiting factor, which caused at least two important and contentious Bills to be held over, was lack of time. Although it. can be nothing more than speculation, the view is widely held that a majority. of Government members, realising that the sands are running out, want to get as much legislation as possible on to the Statute Book—and if some of it proves embarrassing for their successors, so much the better.

Three of the most important and controversial bills were entrusted to Mr McLagan,' and it says much for his grasp of detail * that he showed complete mastery of each one. In debates the Government again relied principally on its “Big Three”—Mr Fraser, Mr Nash, and Mr Nordmeyer. Apart from these there is now a distinct dearth of talent on the ministerial benches, the principal fault being a lack of original ideas, and a tendency to rely on stock arguments which have long since lost their novelty, and in some cases their validity. Mr. Moohan,. of whom much was expected, offers a case in point. In spite of the most painstaking efforts to impress both the House and the listeners-in, he has added little to the debating strength of the Government party.

Fortunately for the Government,' the prospect on the cross-benches is a little brighter. Here Mr A. M. Finlay stands out as easily the most promising new member in the House. With his flair for topicality and his well-stocked vocabulary he always commanded attention. Mr G. H. O. Wilson’s speeches were always earnest and thoughtful and unlike his benchmate, Mr. Baxter? he did not participate in the continuous unbridled heckling from this part of the House. Mr. Baxter, who otherwise made a good impression, on one occasion incurred the unconcealed displeasure of the Prime Minister through his habit of interjecting. •

A Solid Array On the Opposition side there is now a solid array of debating talent, many of the members elected in 1943, notably Messrs Oram, Corbett, Sheat, Smith, Webb and Gerard having come to the fore. Mr. A. S. Sutherland, whose use of the term “ inquisitorial State pimps,” aroused Mr Speaker’s disfavour during the all-night debate in the last week of the session, has proved that there is a place in Parliament for a robust and tenacious speaker even though the finer points of vocabulary and technique are lacking. It is in this class, too, that Mr J. J. Maher, and also Mr P. Kearins, Labour member for Waimarino,. have already shown their worth.

Although he lacks the subtelty and political finesse of Mr Fraser, Mr Holland again showed himself an mile and conscientious leader of his party. Suggestions that his leadership is in any way in question can be dismissed as idle gossip. Under his leadership the Opposition set a standard of attendance, in the early months of the session, which can rarely have been equalled. There was a full attendance. of 38 members every day for weeks on end. Unfortunately, the illness of Mr Holyoake and Mr Kidd, towards the end, deprived the Opposition of its deputy-leader and a useful member. Mr Kidd’s recurrence of an old illness, dating from his .war service in 1914-18, has caused his colleagues some concern.

The Government Whips, Mr Macfar-" lane and Mr Connolly, with two members seriously ill, both of whom died, and Ministers absent at various times, had to be constantly active. It. is .to their credit that, in addition to making useful contributions to debates, they averted the defeats on snap divi-* sions which more , than once seemed imminent.

When the House re-assembles, after what will probably be an interval of at least six months, there will be s new member for Westland in the per son of Mr J. B. Kent.