"A DICTATORSHIP."

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1926, Page 9

"A DICTATORSHIP."

PREMIER'S GREAT MAJORITY.

NATIONAL PARTY'S

PROGRAMME.

ARGUMENT AND CRITICISM.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day

The National party met to-day. Mr. G. W. Forbes was re-elected leader of the party, and Mr. E. A. Ransom whip. In a subsequent interview with the Press Mr. Forbes stated that the question of the action of the party during the session was discussed, and it was decided, owing to the result of the recent election returning the Hon. J. G. Coates with an/overwhelming majority of supporters bound to him by personal pledge, it was more than ever necessary for those members who were free and untrammelled to maintain a vigilant scrutiny of the Government's proposals andi administration, so that there should be no abuse of autocratic power placed in i the hands of the Prime Minister. -

The National party' recognise it is vital to continuance of the country.'s prosperity, there, should be strict economy in the country's finarces, that land settlement should be pushed on vigorously, and that local industries be stimulated and encouraged in every way possible. To that end the party will endeavour to see that this policy was fully recognised and acted on by the Government. The National party realises that the smallncss of their numbers, and, in fact of the whole Opposition, and the great majority of the Government renders their task increasingly difficult, as the use of the division lobbies to emphasise the strength of any criticism was absolutely futile.

The only avenue through which they could work is argument end criticism, and to that end they will devote their best energies, leaving the decision and responsibility, as it must be, in the hands of the Prime Minister, who, with a great majority at his back, had practically been given a dictatorship.