The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22, 1933. THE REVOLT ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11876, 22 February 1933, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22, 1933. THE REVOLT ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE.

There continues to be keen pdblie interest on the matter of differences of opinion within - the -ranks of the Coalition Party. The Premier and his chief lieutenant are, seemingly, more perturbed than they care to admit over the fact that seven members recently voted in opposition to the Government. As" is "well-known, Mr. Stallwdftliy has already left the party and it’is unlikely tbaL either Mr. Wright or Mr. VeitcC' will'•’•be completely von back. Air. Harris Mono bus composed bis dilferences with tlio leaders’ and has been'fully re-instated in the fold. The position in regard to the others —Messrs. Bodkin, McSkimining and MeDougall—is extraordinary. As "far as can be inado out, they aro quite unwilling to' express regrot over their recent hostile attitude. but,' for all tlnit. the party leaders do not wish to fall out with them. Mr. Forbes suggests that it is to the credit of the Coalition Party that members may express views of an independent character. All that the Government insists upon, he adds, is that it shall be given such support as will enable it to carry out the country’s business. If this means anything at all, it means, of course, that the Government has to be prepared to put up with strong criticism within its own ranks and that all that matters is that it is not defeated on a no-confidence proposition. It is plain that the Government will retain a working majority, although oven all its loyal supporters may not be in accord with major sections of its policy. What is bound to keep it in office is the fact that the Opposition happens to be the Labour Party. If Labour were to-day only a small third party, and there was a strong non-Labour Opposition, the Government would, unquestionably, run « grave risk of being turned out of office. No Government can, of course, be happy if a section of its followers is in rebellious mood, for its leaders must appreciate the fact that a great deal of harm is occasioned throughout the country to any . party if some of its members persist in decrying policy measures. Mr. Coates lias said that the policy of agreement to differ is not unusual in a party even under tlio system of party warfare and, con.se. quently. he professes not to take k serious view of the recent revolt on the part of a section of the Coalition ists. His inmost thoughts on the matter may be loft to the imagination. He must know that nothing suits the book of an Opposition better than rebellious public utterances by members elected to support a Government. The decision to exclude certain Coalitionists from the latest caucus was not, in all the circumstances, likely to help tlio Government. Now that the arch rebels have been red need to three, the leaders feel that they may adopt a. very independent attitude. Mr. Stallworthy knows that ho stands outside the pale to-day; Mr. Wright has been invited very pointedly to find a seat outside the benches bit the Government side of the House; and Mr. Vcitch can hardly retract his recent venomous criticism of the Government. In'the meantime, Messrs. Bodkin,’ McSkimining and McDougall will probably continue to prove not altogether docile followers of tile Government. The Government, therefore, may find that it'has' no option but to put up with quite a lot of unpalatable criticism from within its own ranks. All that it seems to reckon matters is that sufficient votes are assured in its favour to enable its "’policy ip 'bo put through.