WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1931, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS

MINISTER AND MINERS.

THE STRONG MAN.

(Special Correspondent). WELLINGTON, July 14. The attempt of Air ±l. E. Holland, the leader of the Labour Party in tin House of Representatives, to make capital out of the watersiders’ foolish proceedings aa Westport fell very Hat indeed when it was coni routed uy the facts. The Prime Minister lost no time in seeing that these lac. were promptly placed before the public. “When the, watersiders gave an ultimatum to the’ Government, declaring that they would deteimue what coal was going to be handled by the waterside workers and what was t,« then, he emphasised from His place in the House, “it was time for the Government to take a hand. The answer of the “Government was that if the watersiders did not handle all the coal sent forward, they would handle none at all.” Frank, emphatic and with a kindly word for the men, Mr Forbes let them know exactly where they stood. WHO SHOULD BE PREMIER? One of the stories that have made their way beyond the confines of the lobbies during the past week is to the effect that members of the Reform Party have been discussing a suggestion for the review of their leadership. Mr Seddou, it is being recalled, laid down as an axiom, after he had experienced three or four years of leadership, that the Prime Minister of a political party, unless the circumstances were quite exceptional, should be his own Minister of Finance. Mr Massey, it will be remembered, after the dissolution of the National Cabinet in 1919 and the revival of the Reform Cabinet, gave it as his emphatic opinion that in this country the'Treasurv should be the care of the Prime Minister, and lie acted accordingly. Mr Seddou and Mr Massey were high auth critics on matters of this kind, and it is being suggested that their successors might be reviewing the situation. TOO MUCH LEGISLATION.

The “Dominion,” which, it must he said to its credit, does not always over-look the Prime Minister’s good cornmonsense and tireless activity, joins with Air Forbes in disparaging superfluous legislation. “Most people,” it-says this morning, “will endorse the Prime Minister’s opinion that ‘too much legislation is definitely undesirable’ and applaud his policy of keeping a brake on the output- of laws. This country like many others, is suffureing from legislative surfeit and Parliament would be better engaged in digesting what it has already swallowed, as in the ease of Maori land laws consolidation, than in adding to ’Hie existing congestion.” One of the jibes cast at Mr Alassey..after lie had been in the House of Representatives for quite a number of years wasthat lie never had placed a Bill on the Statute Book. His retort was to the effect that where so many fools stepped in there was no need for his presence. AI ORE ECONOMY.

While sitting ' here last week the Farmers’ Union Conference adopted a motion urging “that, the Parliamentary Budget should be balanced by further economies rather than by additional taxateion.” This was a very proper assertion, indeed a pious .one; hut there was one dissentient from the rsolut.ion who wanted to have the term “economy’ defined. Apparently liis fellow delegates eouhl not supply the information he required, but this evening the “Post” comes to his assistance. “We would urge all advocates of economy to endeavour to define the term, not merely to say that “a great deal more could he done in the way of economy,“ but to show where it could be done. All suggestions will not be acceptable, but a constructive method will I>e more helpful to all concerned. it will lead all sections of the community, to understand that there can be no economy without sacrifice.” ft certainly would be a very praiseworthy and useful exercise.

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