BEFORE THE FIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 233, 2 October 1925, Page 9

BEFORE THE FIGHT.

FRIENDLY POLITICIANS. «A SAFE RETTJR-V PLANS OF THE LEADERS. WELLIN' 'TON, Thursday. None of the speakers tshn made vale-I dietary -"marks before the House of Bepresematives completed its session failed to remember that another political gpjjtest had to be commenced at once, but all references were ir. good spirit. __other interesting point about the final |ta De was the reminder that both <>ov ernment and Opposition had to conduct the session under new leaders. The Prime Minuter remarked that when he v.as railed on to nil the position of leader of the Government he had no idea bow members "would take it. but he was obliged 10 =a . v ' L ' n3: v ~ oli ld nare oe,?n impossible to cnndur-T the business of the House with any satisfaction unless be liad had the co-operation of the Leader of the Opposition and thp Leader oi the labour party. With the session over they could easily drop personalities and say" "they are finished." Every member j had personally been very generous, and be wished to thank them for the friendly and manly way in which everyone had assisted him. He had felt very much the task of following a leader who had been personally liked by everyone in Parliament foT his fine, manly, upright- and tolerant bearina. and that thought had always been with him throughout tiie session. "It is difficult to wish everyone in a political sense good luck." added Mr. Coates. with a smile, "but I can say personaDv in the best sense, and in a

friendly manner, that I do wish every member good luck." Mr. 8. G. Smith: And a safe return. (Laughter, i MrT luaies: In the broad sense, of course. He added that he believed every member would make a manly tight, and that when the battle was on they woula remember friendships formed in Parliament. (Hear. hear, i Mr. Geo. Forbes 'Leader of the Opposition), in the course of his references to |]j e cession's end, said he realised on taking the position he held that he had a tradition to maintain. He had been ia a good many Parliaments, and he believed the one just ended was the most friendly on record. No doubt on the hustings they world all do their best to put their particular side before the electors, and it would be for them to decide. It would be a vigorous contest. tut he hoped nothing would be done which anyone would afterwards regret. and that their opponents would say they had played the game. Sir. D. G. Sullivan, who was acting for the Leader nf the Labour party, joined happily in the felicitations, adding that his colleagues could not in a political sense wish everybody eood luck unless it involved a rest from the strenuous political life. (Laughter.) "This' is almost like a pugilistic encounter, where the competitors shake hands before getting into the contest." he continued. "No doubt when the fortunes of war are known some will have fallen by the way. but the same number of members will be here when Parliament reassembles."" "From my place here I know no politics,'* was Mr. Speaker"? contribution to this phase of the discussion. "I must show no political feeling, and as a matter of fact, I never had muoh. so I can safely say from the bottt- m of my heart I wish you every one good luckl"' The Prime Minister, who in the normal course would have opened the campaign in his electorate at Dargaville within a few days, is obliged to stay in Wellington in connection with the negotiations aimed at ending the shipping dispute. His plans are therefore not settled. Mr. Forbes, Leader of the Opposition, will speak in Cheviot on Saturday, and Mr. Holland. Leader of the Labour' party, will hy that t ; me have opened his campaign in Westport.