"LITTLE TO FEAR"

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 11

"LITTLE TO FEAR"

GOVERNMENT'S , POSITION WOULD GAIN BY NEW ELECTION. Confidence in the security of the Ward Government was expressed by ! the Minister of Health (tho Hon. A. J. j Stallworthy) in the course of-an-inter-view in Christchurch yesterday. ■ '' Only a Liberal Administration . has the magic touch essential to prcser'vo the economic well-being," he. said. "There is a subtle. connection between, the United Party and prosperity, and. there is no doubt that throughput the whole Dominion a ,now spirit of. optim-. ism and a returning confidence is rapidly developing.''' .'-•■■ Cabinet was meeting on 17th January, but Mr; Stallworthy said he' did. not care to express an opinion on policy. It was possible that there- might be a short session soon,: but it-was more likely that Parliament would meet, ■in'tho ordinary ..way in...June: . : "We have agreed aihoiig ourselves that any ■important information--on policy, should be expressed only by the'"leader,", he said. "We work as a team and do not care to oxpress facts that, may lead to a divergence of opinion."' THE BALANCE OF POWER. Asked what was. the likelihood of .the present Government continuing, in office, the' Minister. said, that,' while he did ; not care togo fully into the matter, he w.ould say. r that' ■ the United Party hold-the balance, of power in Parliament.. "It is,unlikely that there will be a new election-in the near future," he. said. "While, of' 1 course, we : do not wish, for' another 1 election, we are prepared for it,'; and are confident that we Would be. returned 1 .with a. good working majority. YWeMiave' this: confidence of the people,' and would gain' by a new election." •;. •; ■'/' " • .Discussing the position: in-, the 'House, Mr. Stallworthy said .that ..the-Govern-ment had-little' to fear.; Usually when a minority party was in^-power it-ruled only through favour-of the' other- parties, -and its policy- was. of tea" subset vient:to ' that of ; .orie;or other, of the other: partiesj .But tlia'. TJiiited 'Party was in. tho "strong.,position:', of,'Ka\ring had tho ''expression.! of confidence of "the people in its new, policy. - They prepared' a programme^ \fhiciij-, whbn •: presented ,to the country, - was-■ indorsed. As long.'as. they, conscientiously.<:. and honestly endeavoured to carry out and enforce that programme they should not be prejudiced! by either! df.' ; tha other parties - in the House. Neither Labour nor Eeform/; would.c dare ..vote against the Governmeiit.joiL a policy which .was part of the pro'gfamme;,it submitted ; to the country.■. 'To.- defeat, them an. alliancei:Of Keform-; and^ Labour; wouW be necessary, and 1- this 'was' as;'improbabJe] a's; it would :be' diatastefuli-to both:' parties." -' .' -, ■■■';, -■'".'•;':.■;;' i-:' ..-,. „ The Prime .Minister^, (Sir, Joseph Ward),.-he said, wasf'in-good. health 'and standing up ,the. strain of-, his duties in,a,wanderfuL,manner. ;■• ■'.-'