POLITICS AND PARTIES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 287, 31 August 1935, Page 8

POLITICS AND PARTIES

Ready For the Battle

NATIONALISTS COME CLOSER TOGETHER (Fiiom Oun Pakliamentaky CORRESPONDENT.) A witty member of Parliament recounted to friends the other day the story of three wise men given to boastfulness about the greatness of their respective professions. One claimed that his calling was the greatest on earth because surgeons alone could work wonders on the human frame. The second boaster urged that his profession was even greater, because engineers not only controlled and used the forces of Nature, but brought order out of chaos. It was left to the third man to make what we called the most accurate claim, this being that the politician must be the greatest of them all, since it was he alone who made all the chaos! A Significant Moral. If there be any moral in that story, many people will hope legislators may exercise it this session and make as little chaos as possible in the improved circumstances of the period. There is widespread expectation of a cut in taxation, and no class wants any more cuts in earnings. It is too early yet to discuss the constructive side of Parliamentary work; the legislative programme is still a thing of shreds and patches. But fair warning has been given of party strategy to make the session notorious for destructive criticism. The Opposition has given notice of its intention to assail the Government with a iiQ-contidence motion. Thus polities should be interesting next week, when the early stages of the Address-in-Reply debate shouP' be enlivened by a speech by the Labour Leader, Mr. M. J. Savage, to whom the Minister of Lands, the Hon. Sir Alfred Ransom, will reply. Labour’s Tactics.

The main value of such tactics by the Opposition will be in the narrow party service of broadening the scope for hostile comment on the so-called political sins of the Coalition Government. The debate also will giv- many worried politicians an opportunity to practice electioneering without having to pay the rent of a hall. From the viewpoint of the people, the division I test will demonstrate how many, if any, of the Independents will become allies of Labour in the campaign against the Nationalists. The result of the no-confidence harangue is, of course, plain and certain: the Government will not be defeated. As all members know, the decisive battle has to be fought in polling booths will the grim prospect of casualties among the contestants. In the House, however, there already is evidence that the advent of another new party has succeeded at least iu strengthening the forces of tb.e Nationalist Party. Reform and United are closer together than at any time in their careers, and there is neither talk nor visible sign of separate identities. The old groups now appear as one band with perfect unity in respect of determination to retain a majority at the polls.

Fate of Parties. One of the main topics in the lobbies is the fate of parties at the general election. Prophets are as numerous as the pigeons on the sills and cornices of Parliament House, but in most cases prophecy, where and when it is not evil; is merely assertive wistfulness. While several members are ready enough to concede that a few of their neighbours are certain to be defeated, none can imagine his own downfall. Optimism strides on stilts. Some Labour members hail witli glee the longheralded appearance of the Democrat Party in the crowded electoral field. They argue that while the Democrats may not “cut much ice,” it is probable tbat politically, they will cut several throats of other antl-Labour candidates. So far, there is only one accredited Democrat in the House —the deputy-leader, Mr. W. A. Veitch, former Independent member for Wanganui. No doubt his first speech in his new role will command rather more than usual attention. Nationalists Not Dismayed. Among the Nationalists confidence is firm, and none of the party appears despondent about the issue. They all agree that adverse opinion in the Country lias softened to a marked extent during the past month or so, as people, after having "blown off steam” regarding the depression measures, realise that the alternative to the present Government is clearly a Labour Ministry. Of course the Democrats assert that they will surprise the nation with their polling results, but in the meantime they chuckle alone and mostly outside. They have a long way to go before they can hope to practise the promised statesmanship of their “shadow party” and bestow tlie gifts, hidden in their policy.