WHO THE OPPOSITION?

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 15 March 1926, Page 4

WHO THE OPPOSITION?

The definite election of Messrs Seddon and McCombs, far from settling all uncertainty in respect of the new Parliament, threatens to produce another tie. The composition of the completed House, from a party point of view, is: Government 55 Labour 12 Nationalist 10 Indep. Nat 1 Liberal .1 Independent 1 The Independent Nationalist is Mr Atmore and tho Liberal Sir Joseph Ward, botli of whom may be regarded as votes for the Nationalists on most divisions, so Mr Forbes and Mr Holland both could muster eleven followers if either were called upon to substantiate his claim to be leader of the Opposition. The only absolute Independent in the new House is the Hon. C. E. Stathain, who was Speaker of the last Parliament. The position is rich in possibilities. Sir Joseph Ward may elect to preserve hia identity as a

party, or Mr At-more may refuse to recognise Mr Forbes as his leader, upon either of which happenings Labour would become the official Opposition. Or the election of SpeaKer could possibly be engineered to keep Labour in the position of third party. Three years ago there were two nominees for the Speakership, Mr Statham and Mr McCombs, the latter gentleman being advanced and supported by his own party only. In the event of Labour again nominating one of its number for the office of Speaker, it would be a simple matter for the Government and the National Parties to support him, thus depriving Labour of one of its twelve in the voting strength of the House. However, Mr Holland and the members of his executive are too shrewd politically to be caught in a snare of this type, and probably they will be content to allow the majority to elect its own Speaker. Then the first duty of the newlyMelected ruler of the House will be to decide the dispute for party ascendancy between Labour and the Nationalists; and the prospects of Labour’s solid dozen appear bright. The prestige of Opposition attaches not so much to a party as to its leader, although doubtless every member who cannot sit with the Government secures a compensating satisfaction from taking his place immediately on Mr Speaker's left. 'The leader of the Opposition has his own office and secretary provided, while, on the floor of the House, the forms of debate accord him a position second only to that of Ministers. It is understandable, therefore, that neither of the two minority parties will be disposed to abandon its claim to .second place; and added interest will be added to the opening of the new Parliament by virtue of the even balance between Nationalists and Labour.