The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET. AUCKLAND MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1930 A TEST IN PARNELL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 929, 24 March 1930, Page 10

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET. AUCKLAND MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1930 A TEST IN PARNELL

FOLLOWING slowly on desertion from the exasperating camp of the United Party, Mr. H. R. Jenkins, M.P. for Parnell, has done the right thing- in resigning his seat in Parliament and throwing himself on the mercy of his electors. Whether or not they -will be merciful to him at the projected by-election is, of course, a very different question which must'be left to the will of the electorate for decision. The outcome may prove to be more in the nature of a punishment than a pleasant reward. As a rule, it is always easier to retire from Parliament than it is to get into it.

In the meantime, however, an inexperienced politician obviously with a raw knowledge of the game of politics has taken a commendable course in forcing an Electoral test of opinion on the reasons for his secession from the party that surprisingly carried him and other political recruits into the Legislature. Almost a month ago, when it was announced that three members of the United Party had “hived away,” it was first suggested in this column that two of them at least—Mr. Jenkins and Mr. J. S. Fletcher, M.P. for Grey Lynn—as relatively wealthy men certainly not dependent upon their Parliamentary honoraria, should resign and test the opinion of their constituents on a situation that could not be anything else than unsatisfactory alike to the seeeders and their electors. It was then mentioned that resignation would have bsen better than sulkily taking shelter from discontent or chagrin in the small hive of Independents. The member for Parnell has had the requisite moral courage to hazard his political fate at a by-election. His similarly discontented colleague in Grey Lynn and also the disillusioned United member for Waitomo, Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, have not yet resigned and may not resign. Perhaps it is the special prerogative of politicians to see duty in a varying light and from different angles of vision. It is certain at any rate that comrades in political defection are not always companions in duty to the people who elect them.

Unfortunately for the purposes of a straight-out party test in Parnell, and possibly with worse fortune for Mr. Jenkins, the issue will be jostled by the rivalry of several candidates, all ready to profess the same kind of party politics and all perfectly willing to serve under any banner which offers the best prospect of victory. Even after careful reflection Mr. Jenkins is not quite sure of his place in a party fold. Politically his mind is in a •state of flux. He is ready to stand as the official Reform candidate or, failing selection as that party’s flag-bearer, to test his chance as a Reform-Independent, or, in the last resort, to invite dismissal as a straight-out Independent. The bewildered gentleman is consistent and fixed as to intention only in his determination to be free of the United Party. Then Mr. jy S. Dickson, who held the seat for Reform for seventeen colourless years and surprised everybody with the success of his tenacity, is also willing to wear the official badge of his party, while if Reform does not want him as a selected candidate, he still will stand for the party’s cause. Possibly it would be better for the Reform Party and also for the Parnell electorate if the executive of the Opposition organisation were to choose someone else with greater political ability than either of the two earnest claimants, and fight for an infusion of new blood and more promising virility. Vote-splitting manifestly will be inevitable; why not split votes with the sharpest axe possible? It is too early yet to discuss the prospects of the other rival pax*ties. So far they have got none, though it has been announced definitely that the United Party intends to make a strong hid for the seat. Its greatest difficulty will be to make a selection. There is no dearth of aspirants, including one or two whose only special qualification is the experience of having suffered defeat in another electorate. The Government might regain the seat if Sir Joseph Ward could appear in the arena with a magic wand, hut there is little prospect of that great aid" on this approaching occasion. Labour also will he represented in the contest, hut its chance of winning an anti-Labour stronghold is remote. Its only hope lies in the possibility of other candidates committing electoral murder and suicide.

COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIES

THE Government’s intention of proceeding at once with the inquiry into conditions in New Zealand manufacturing industries will be welcomed by the growing section of the public which recognises in the development of industry the country’s chief, hope of liberation from periodic depressions through declines in the prices won by agricultural products overseas. At times, when the amount of money coming into New Zealand from the sale of exports is reduced, the country continues to send a large amount of money overseas. Much of this is entirely unavoidable. Champions of New Zealand industry do not contest the argument that many imported commodities could not he produced in this country. At the same time, many for which New Zealand money is now sent overseas can be produced here at prices reasonable to the consumer and giving both capital and labour an adequate return. Every sign of the times—the growing interest of the public in New Zealand-made goods, the change in the attitude of the conservative section of the Press, and the general consciousness that development of sound industries may do much to arrest waves of unemployment—conveys the suggestion that in future political contests the party which allies itself to the claims of local industry will command a growing popular support. In the next election, the legitimate demands of New Zealand industries will he an important issue. It is perhaps with this knowledge in the back of its mind that the Government, after a period of rather unwarranted delay, has decided to go ahead with its inquiry, substituting a committee of three which has yet to be named for the Parliamentary special committee invalidated bv the defection of Mr. H. R. Jenkins, M.P. . Composed as it no doubt will be, or certainly should be, of men unshackled by party convictions, the committee may do just as good work as the group of politicians could have done. The one advantage held by a Parliamentary committee is that frequently it carries more weight and influence through its connections in the House. Too many reports presented by private committees are given the brief attention of a formal reading, and then indefinitely laid aside. With the growing importance of industries as an issue in the political scheme, the report in this ease should escape that fate. In its broad field of investigation, the committee should be able to bring down recommendations of genuine value. After that, the responsibility rests with Parliament. There should he no mere spasmodic effort. Consistent attention is necessary, and no harm would he done if a special committee on industry were given a permanent existences