PARLIAMENTARY RECESS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20923, 30 September 1939, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY RECESS

Early next week the session of Parliament which has performed the onerous task of launching the war emergency legislation will be concluded, and then for several months, probably, the conduct of the country’s affairs will devolve on the Cabinet. It was in view of this fact that suggestions were made some time ago that the Government should consider broadening the basis of the Cabinet to include representation of the Opposition. While Parliament is in session there is not the same need. But in the long recess the country as a whole would feel greater confidence if both political parties had direct representatives on the council responsible for the control of affairs. No doubt the Prime Minister will agree to keep the Leader of the Opposition informed of important events during the recess, but that is not the same thing as direct participation in the discussions. Complaints voiced by Mr J. G. Coates in the past few days indicated that the Opposition was not satisfied that all possible information was being given by the Government, and such doubts are not conducive to the unity and co-operation which are more than ever essential at the present moment. Doubts in the minds of the Opposition would be set at rest were representatives of both parties admitted to the vital discussions. It is only reasonable to suppose that the Opposition, some of the members of which have had long experience of administration in times of war as well as of peace, would be able to make a useful contribution to the sum total of wisdom that is required to steer New Zealand safely through the troublous times ahead. It will be unfortunate if simply for reasons of political antipathy the country is to be deprived bf the benefit of that contribution. It is hoped that before the House adjourns the acting-Prime Minister will make a clear statement of the Government’s plans for the recess and the contact it is proposed to maintain with the Opposition Party and the country as a whole.