The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES” GISBORNE, THURSDAY, DEC. 7, 1944. POLITICAL MANNERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21581, 7 December 1944, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES” GISBORNE, THURSDAY, DEC. 7, 1944. POLITICAL MANNERS

In view of the party squalls that may spring up in the House of Representatives when the report of the Select Committee on servicemen’s voting is given attention in debate, it may be premature to say that, the present session of Parliament is likely to be completed without much display of rallied temper. Up till the present, however, the House has conducted itself with a decorum unbesmirched save by the periodical rudeness of interruption and needless interjection. Listeners over the radio have complained of this and members have sought to excuse themselves by blaming the sensitiveness of the microphone. It is pleasing to note, however, that an undercurrent of good humour has in many: instances prevented acrimony from developing to the pitch of personal recrimination. The bantering ways of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, and some of his? colleagues have generally been responded to in kind by Government speakers. Some of the reports from our Parliamentary reporter, have been brightened by witty dialogue. An example of this was provided in the written summary of the debate on the clause in the Statutes Amendment Bill empowering the Minister of Works to purchase and sell electrical appliances and equipment. As a matter of fact, a serious principle—the encroachment of the State into everyday trading—was involved, and therefore many people will consider that this particular occasion was hardly suitable for manifestations of levity. Still, the Opposition must have been thrilled by the closeness of the voting—which explains the effervescent cry of “Hurrah! Resign!” that greeted the first count in rejection of the clause. The danger of State penetration into the legitimate field of private enterprise •had previously been pointed out by several Opposition speakers and no doubt it was thought that the best possible fight had been made before the comedy note; was introduced into the manoeuvring for a division. From all accounts, the Federal Parliament in Australia has not been so fortunate in the atmosphere in which some of its debates have been held. The session just ended has been described as one of the worst-mannered for many years, “with party feeling never higher and personal abuse never lower.” One newspaper referred to an infusion of ’’venom, intolerance and insult.” There is reason to believe, however, that the Commonwealth is experiencing graver problems than New Zealand. Apparently nerves have become jittery and tempers frayed. One weakness is the Government’s refusal to abide by the spirit of the Wider Powers referendum. A section of the Cabinet wants to seize those powers against the wish of the majority of the people, and it is only natural that the Op: position should fight vigorously to prevent such an obvious violation of political practice. What the outcome of it all will be may not be known till the next session. It is to be hoped that by that time the sedative effects of the recess will result in a calmer and more dignified approach to the important affairs of State at issue.