AUSTRALIAN PRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 114, 15 May 1924, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN PRESS.

NO RESPECT FOR POLITICIANS.

THE THREE-PARTY SYSTEBtr

NEW ZEALAND MEMBER'S ' "

JMPEJESSrONS.

tßy to "StaE."! WELLINGTON, this day. "■ The member for Hurunui, Mr. G. W. Forbes, returned from a month's visa, to Australia, and although, as he remarked to your correspondent, he dia. not cultivate politicians when cm holiday he gained some impressions of general interest. A visit to the Hawkeebury Agricultural College when the presentation of diplomas took place gave him the opportunity of meeting the Ministers of Agriculture of New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland. "I was impressed with the work being done at the institution, and am glad to 1 see the names of some New Zealanders among those receiving diplomas," he said. The principal spoke highly of the New Zealand students, declaring that they had a fine lot from the Dominion. They came with a determination to learn', and" they worked earnestly. "As for general, politics, what struck mc most," said Mr. Forbes, "was that in Australia the Press is more outspoken about politicians than we are accuse tomed to in the New Zealand Presi The Australian papers affect the American style of journalism, and do not treat politicians with the respect they get in print in. New Zealand, so that I come bapk well pleased ■ with our papers. "The' railway strike was on in Nevej Zealand, but all the news from thid quarter.. we got in Australia was only; a few inches daily, and generally speaking the;cable news of the world published in Australia is not nearly so com? plete as in inost-KTew Zealand papers. The older established Australian dailies seem to be overcrowded, and make dull reading. Most people prefer the smaller journals which turn out brief paragraphs with ample headings, and do not try to cover the whole news situation. Public opinion is mostly formed from this snippet- class of journalism, which is not as good' as our papers either from ~a literary viewpoint or from an interesting selection of world's news.

"While I was in Ifew South Wale* the- commercial leaders were warning the people of tie necessity for financial caution. They talked of over-specula-tion and the possibility of curtailed j credit, but there was a tremendous amount of building going on in Sydney. One also heard much criticism of the low labour output for high wages, but when we looked at the many fine new buildings, the new railway station, the great work of the ■ underground railway, and the projected harbour' bridge, we thought' that somebody must be doing good work, despite what was said about men not doing full days' work.

"I found a general feeling," added Mr. Forbes,'"that the perpetuation of the three-party system in Australia is giving too great an advantage to the Labour party. The people were deploring the fact that' the two main parties do not unite in order that a, straightout issue be placed before the electors. The Labour-party, however, seemed the only one with unity of purpose. The other parties do not appear to Ibe able to come to an understanding, and the future of Australian politics is made very uncertain."

After returning to hi 3 home Mr. Forbes • intends joining in the Liberal Opposition campaign on the platform: throughout New Zealand. He will speak in a number of Southern centres.

When it was suggested to Mr. Forbes that the session was likely to be lively, he replied doubting the liveliness, but declaring it would certainly be one of

the most interesting of recent 'years. "I cannot see how Mr. Massey, with;

his narrow majority, has any possible

chance of putting through contentious legislation. There is no doubt that the question of electoral reform, cannot be delayed, and an interesting situation ia likely to develop on this point alone."