THE WAIKATO TIMES With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1930. POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17974, 20 March 1930, Page 4

THE WAIKATO TIMES With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1930. POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

Mr Holland has been addressing his followers on the prospects of tho coming session, and his views will cause some surprise. lie advises the party to be prepared for an election, but says at the same time that a change of Government may take place without any election. He claims that if the Government are defeated on a vote of censure moved by the Labour Party the constitutional course is that Labour must have the opportunity of forming a government. Where does Mr Holland find such a doctrine laid down ? The constitution is not a written document, but is a matter of usage and precedent. The three-party system is itself comparatively new, and its. history has yet lo be made. The action which Mr Holland expects to takp place Is extraordinary and even ridiculous. While no party in the House has a majority, cither the Reform or the United Party are more numerous than Labour. Air Holland says the Labour Party would be entitled to expect the same consideration as was extended to the United Party, but this is to entirely misread the situation. The United Party have been able to stay in office because Reform and Labour disliked each other more than they disliked United. They would not combine to defeat the Government. But with Labour in office matters would be different. There would be no necessity for any combination because it would be possible for either Reform or United to defeat a Labour Government. There is, of course, the objection felt by all members to a General Election before two years have passed—an objection which is felt In the country also. But, however objectionable such an election would be, there are tilings that are worse. The experience of last session should be enough to show that the country cannot do with a stop-gtp Government. /Times are hard, and though it may not be much that the Government can do to improve them, it can do much to make them worse. A Government so weak that it Is living on sufferance all the time is liable to be blackmailed by any active interest. Tile United Party were to remove the duty on wheat and flour, but when the time came they succumbed to some local interests. While Sir Joseph Ward retained his health and vigour there xvas some purpose and vitality in tho Administration, but .since his illness, which is universally regretted, all government has fallen into the hands of the civil servants. AAs might, of course, be worse off, but it is not what the country wants. A General Election would be regrettable, but a continuance of such political conditions as obtained last session would be even worse.

The anxiety which Air Holland shows to occupy the Treasury Benches docs not create a pleasant impression. It is, of course, a perfectly honourable ambition under normal circumstances; that is, if the party can carry out some of the ideas which they have long ■been advocating. It is obvious that they could not do so in the present House, and they would bo the shadow of a Government in tile same way as the present Government. Docs Mr Holland realise the effect which this would have on his party? They would expect that certain measures which have long been advocated would be put into force. To tell them that it cannot be done because the Government has no majority is cold comfort. When the time came round for the next election Air Holland would find that many of his followers had lost their enthusiasm. Wc have seen this taking place with Air Ramsay MacDonald. This is, of course, a matter for Mr Holland’s decision, and many people may say that if we are to have a Labour Government it would be as well that it should not have a free hand. But while this may be tine, it is not all the truth. The country stands in need of a strong Government. Strength is not solely a matter of a majority of votes; there are other qualifications required. A Government must have a clear idea of what it wants to do, and also the ability to carry out its intentions. Mr Coates had a sufficient majority, buL it cannot be said that ills Cabinet was strong. It may be that the material for a strong Cabinet did not exist in tho House, and it’ this bo true the fault lies with the country and the country must suffer. The Reform Party suffered from the suspicion of a too close connection with moneyed interests, and such a suspicion would always be sufficient, in ibis country to destroy a Government.. There arc rumours of

new combinations and fresh parties, and it may be that the time is ripe for something of the kind. The disappointment over the land settlement failure; the universal uneasiness at the continued expenditure on railway construction; the absence of any policy in regard to tariffs, and the lack of any ideas on the handling of unemployment are sufficient to destroy faith in the present Government. There is no reason to suppose that a Labour Government would give better resuli.s. It would show more vigour, but not in w'bat might be called well-doing. The ■country has suffered from too muchgovernment in business and the Labour Party would give us more of it. A great problem facing us is transport. Government-owned railways will keep the country poor for many a year. The Labour Party would saddle us with motor transport, which in 20 years’ time may prove as great a problem as railways are to-day. Mr Holland’s endeavour to prove that his party are entitled to their turn in office will not bear examination, and bis ideas on many points would not commend themselves to people generally.