The Dominion WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1928. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 61, 5 December 1928, Page 10

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1928. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK

With the election of Sir Charles Statham as Speaker of the new House of Representatives the stage is set for the political drama, the central plot of which may be taken to be a change of Government. .... . Speculation still continues as to possibilities, but much of this is mere word-spinning. There is nothing in the situation to suggest that events will develop in any spectacular or unexpected manner. It is true that the Labour-Socialist Party has preserved a discreet silence as to its intentions. In some quarters this is regarded as evidence of a secret purpose—of some political manoeuvre designed to upset calculations and spring a surprise on the other parties. The only course of this nature open to Mr. Holland and h.s follower, is to vote to Ifeep the Government in office, and to anticipate such a course is a flight of fancy which will not be taken seriously. The secrecy observed by the Labour-Socialist Party probaby has a simpler explanation. The parly is; merely f<> °»”S a natural policy of giving nothing away. No e-xception c,an b al» to this. It is under no obligation to disclose it plans until the moment for putting them into effect arrives, and that will be Sir Joseph Ward moves his want-of-confidence motio . It has been taken for granted that the Leader o the United Party will be given precedence in moving a no-confidence motio . It is his right as the leader of the strongest party in opposition to the Government. ' A report is current that Mr. Holland may seek to out-manoeuvre Sir Joseph Ward by moving an amendment to the want-of-conhdence motion. Such a step is possible, and it might occasion temporary embarrassment to the United Party. Indeed, a very interesting situation could easily develop out of.it, but how Mr. Holland could turn this to his own advantage is difficult to see. . ... Assumin'* however, as is probable that events will take their normal Tomtit may be expected that Sir Joseph s "’“‘■‘"’.J want of confidence in the Government will be supiolted by the Labour-Socialists and in due course carried. It is to be hoped that the intervening debate will not be unduly prolonge.dfor with the Christmas holidays drawing near a protracted sitting ot 1 arlia ment will not be welcomed. There is indeed not much remaining to be said by the party leaders. The Government naturally will desire to place its position before the country and record the condition of affairs m the various Departments of State on the eve or its retirement from office. Necessarily, too, Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Holland will lequire . to give their views«of the situation and what led up to it. But is possible to limit the number of speakers it will be a good thing. Should Sir Joseph Ward, as is expected, be called on tc• form a Ministry there need be no great delay, for the Leader of United Party no doubt has already made up his mind as to the selection of his Cabinet. He is entitled to a reasonable period of grace, however, before he is called on to meet the House and announce his policy and plans for'the future.