NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 122, 8 February 1923, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY

So many complaints have been made from time to time in connection with tho management of the Empire Exhibition that a' good deal of uneasiness has been felt overseas. The report of Sir J. JoynsonHicks, just published, makes it clear than certain of the complaints at least were not unfounded, and that there was room for improvement in the attitude of the management. The lack of sympathy with the overseas Dominions, and the disregard of the imperial side of the Exhibition, have no doubt had a discouraging effect, and vne lack of enthusiasm is not to be wondered at. blatters are flow being straightened out, however, and the appeals which are being made to prospective Nev Zealand exhibitors it may be hoped will not pass unheeded.

It is perhaps a good sign that leaders of opinion in I 1 rance are pointedly suggesting that Germany should end the existing situation in Rhineland by making what M. Poincare calls “loyal proposals.” To expect loyal proposals from Germany may seem unduly optimistic, but it is something gained that France apparently is beginning to recognise that the measures she is now taking can only serve a useful purpose if they bring about some sort of understanding with Germany. If a stage is reached at which France and Germany both come to perceive that an understanding is necessary, Britain may be able to intervene with effect. At the moment, however, the situation is becoming more complicated day by day, and Germany does not seem at all inclined to advance such proposals as France would be prepared to consider.

Indications point to the present session of Parliament being even shorter than was anticipated. It is now proposed to sit during the day as well as at night, which means that the business for which members have been summoned probably will be disposed of by the end of next week. The Labour-Socialist Party endeavoured to forestall the expected .po-cvnfidence motion of the Leader of the official Opposition yesterday by claiming that the nomination of Mr. McCombs in opposition to the Government nominee for the office of Speaker was a want of confidence motion. The Liberal Party, however, declined to be taunted into an acceptance of this view, and voted against Mr. Holland’s nominee. When Mr. Wilford moves his want of confidence amendment to the Addrcss-in-Reply, he will have ad advantage over the rival opposition camp, inasmuch as the LabourSocialists cannot very well avoid voting with him. The shortness of the session will prevent much opportunity for finesse between the rival opposition leaders, but it is clear from Mr. Holland’s opening move that the Labour-Socialist Party intends to miss no chance of scoring off the Liberals.

A good deal was said in the course of yesterday s debate in Parliament on the election of a Speaker about the Government having chosen Mu. Statham for nomination to t)ie office because it was afraid of weakening its own voting strength by nominating a member of the Reform Party. The charge may be true. The Government is not in a position at the present time to waste any votes. It would be far from the facts, however, to infer from the circumstances which have assisted to Mr. Statham’s election that a member has been chosen who is lacking in any particular the qualifications for this high office. Members generally, even when criticising the Governments action, frankly admitted that Mr. Statham was well qualified to preside over the sittings of Parliament. Wc venture, however, to go further than this. We doubt if there is any member in the present Parliament better equipped than Mr. Statham for the office of Speaker. New Zealand has been fortunate on a number of occasions in its choice of a Speaker, and in Mr. Statham the New Zealand Parliament should have a worthy successor to the distinguished men who have preceded him. There has been a tendency in recent years to a certain slackness in observing the forms of the House in debate, and at times' an inclination to overtax the good-nature of Mr. Speaker by a somewhat loose and unready acceptance of demands for the withdrawal of unparliamentary terms. It is neither in the interests of members themselves nor in keeping with the dignity of Parliament that this slackness should be permitted to continue. The New Zealand Parliament has an excellent reputation for the orderly conduct of its business, but a rather stricter regard for the rules governing procedure and debate would be beneficial, .fhe House will no doubt readily accord its new Speaker every assistance in maintaining the high standard of his predecessors.