The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 13th, 1925. PARLIAMENT IN SESSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 13th, 1925. PARLIAMENT IN SESSION.

It cannot bo said that tne Country is receiving much value from the sitting of Parliament as far as it lias proceeded. Tfjp position revives memories of Punch’s statement on the essence of Parliament—‘‘business done, nil.” Since the oironing of Parlia nil.” Since the opening of Parliament over a fortnight ago. the House put through the necessary Supply to carry on the administration of the country. Since then, with the exception of a few constituency questions pointing to the approach of a general election, the House lias been engaged in discussing the colorless Speech of the Governor-General. In connection with that official statement, some amendments were moved, which

were treated according to inactive, as I motions of iin-conl'idem e. There in all have been disposed of. the latest by the narrow margin of four votes. In the I meantime the I'pper House is without anything to do, and that branch of the legislature hits adjourned practically sine die. Of the amendments disposed of in eonne.tion villi the Address--1 in-Replv debate, that of .Mr Atinore, referring to the need for a National Government to combat extreme Labor, supplied some sidelights on fusion possibilities. The party leaders are still negotiating, following the failure of the special committees set up to deal with the .subject, and fusion is still possible, though it would appear not probable. This despite the fact that the Hon. -Minister of .Mines and .Mr Young of the Reform fusion committee, spoke strongly in favor of the act of alliance between Reformers and Liberals. .Mr Young reviewed Ihe position exactly as it is. and made out a very strong case for coalition. The most that appears likely in the matter is that there will he an ‘‘arrangement” regarding triangular contests in the coming election. This is far from being satisfactory. If the parties are bent on fusion ultimately, the sooner the decision is taken the better. If parties are to remain as they have been, the sham lighting will lie more unreal than it has ever been. For the past fortnight the Ollii ial Opposition has not functioned, and its inaction is savouring of political suicide. The situation calls for definite decision one way or the other. Having decided on open negotiations the parties should have determined beforehand what was the objective desired, and if that did not seem attainable at the outset, it seems futile to maintain a condition of armistice with valuable time slipping by and costing the country so much. Tf the leaders themselves could not agree to something binding at the cutest, ii is no doubt useless to expect the rank and file, wihout any responsibility, but their own political safety, to cast an independent vote on the issue. Delays are said to he dangerous. In the present instance the delay is a menace to the welfare of the two parties which lack the courage to throw party interests to the wind, and think only of the future of the Dominion as regards its national prosperity. Of course there are diehards on both sides. That is just the trouble, hut with the friction the hotheads cause, it is for the leaders to decide and he leaders in action and not- in name only. This week should see the fusion issue settled one way or the other, and an understanding reached, we may hope Parliament in session to make some progress with the real work of the countrv.