The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1929. A MATTER OF CONFIDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1929. A MATTER OF CONFIDENCE.

The adverse .'.motion moved by Mr Coates, Leader of the Opposition, in I respect to the Government policy, could hardly be accepted by the Crime Munster, .Mr Josepii Ward, as other than a want of confidence motion. •To treat it with indifference > and allow it to- go 10 a vote without a dear understanding/ of the view the Government took oft the matter, would not have bc’enufair-. nflad the‘motion been earned by the House it meant the defeat of the policy brought down in the Budget, and that would have carried with it the defeat of the Government. The motion; ms it stood opened up once again the'flood gates of eh/quen e in tiie House. The whole policy of the Government could be debated de novo, despite the fact that one would think all that need be said had been said "over and over ag’dii in the Address-in-Reply debate and the debate on the Budget as far as it had gone. Parliament this session has done little more than talk, and the country will su>n want to know what all the valuable time is being ivasted for. Mr Coates at the cutset' of the session, spoke of giving the Government a fair run. and although at the outset of the Budget

debate.';he spoke of moving an adverse motion lie has delayed doing 00 for several days. It is probable that he had been encouraged by the various passed by Chambers of Commerce and Farmers’ Uni. ns, and also after giving some members of the Labour paity time to commit themselves on vital matters, in the Budget. But it is very doubtful if the Opposition represented by Reform can ever count on Labour voting with them to oust the United Government. Mr Holland, die Labour leader, has been definite on such a possibility, and although it was not to be expected Labour would fvour tile whole of the United Bud-’ get, it is quite clear now the party will not vote to oust the Uniteds that Reform may again hold sway. The political strength of parties in the House is such that in tne event of Mr Coates’ no-confidence motion having been carried there would have been an appeal to- the cpuntry. From all accounts Labour does not desire that, and Itefrom as the guilty cause for such a step (were the motion carried) would hardly have desired it either. Unless uiibour and Reform would join hands at all freely at this juncture, and show unity of action and desire beyond question, the passing of the motion would be disastrous to the official Opposition. Sir Joseph Ward views the political future with c.mplacency. He feels, no doubt, that he has the bulk of the people with him. If his health will permit him touring the country and meeting the mass of the people, there need be no doubt.about the probable result of a sudden appeal to tne country. Jn any case, the'United organiseis have been -Working for some time in the centres of population con-ol dating the party support. The organisation is being carried out on well-planned' lines, following what the voting revealed it few months ago. Doubtless because of this- action arid the reports supplied, the Prime' Minister had no cause f./r alarm in respect to Mr Coates’ motion. Sir Joseph has been long enough in power now to know a great deal about the Departments and the past administration. He will have it in his power to attack rather than defend, while in regard to his policy, its full effe -t has still to be revealed, and he can do that in person with the greatest effect when the time serves. The motion therefore, was' rather a waste of time, and would serve no practical purpose. It did not inconvenience Labour, for that party has been quite frank from the outset ■ and made it perfectly plain exactly where it stands in respect to a Reform no-confidence motion. , ■ ■.