The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 1937. POLITICAL PLEASANTRIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1937, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 1937. POLITICAL PLEASANTRIES.

Parliament has set out on its way, and the opening phases were marked by some of those political pleasantries which rival parties delight in. A young member of the Opposition of promising talent, set out on a voyage of discovery by asking lor a return of the cost of Mr Nash’s ton months’ tour abroad, learning all 1m could about trading conditions; and not to be outdone in a thirst for information, a member of the Cabinet asked for similar information in respect to a previous visit bv a Prime Minister. Those tours are among the perquisites of office, and it is not customary for Ministers to undertake the jaunts without proper occasion. No doubt the tours run to a great sum, but they are supposed to he of importance, and in the two instances the Ministers will be able to justify the outlay. Mr Nash is likely to have his hands very full on the question of the guaranteed prices. His trip abroad would be an education as to what was being done about marketing, and he would glean inside information hv the direct contact, not possible otherwise than hv a personal visit The fact that the tour unbraced the continent, showed the

Minister was bent on exhausting all possible avenues of trade lor produce while the opportunity served. Now he has returned as fully informed as possible on the important subject, and qualified to meet the objections to the price offered. It appears to be part ol the political game to search out an opponent’s supposed political peccadilloes, with the object of scoring » point or two. No doubt with the commbneement of the real business to-day, Parliament will settle down to points /of mor» material value. It is evident the Opposition will have occasion to make a general attack, and a no-eon-tidence motion is foreshadowed. This | will be doomed to defeat, but will occasion a wide discussion on the policy of the Government, and it may Unexpected the question of the guaranteed prices will he well to the lore. As part of the financial policy it will he interesting to obtain fuller enlightenment on the details for which there is a general search lor information. It is true that the address-in-reply discussion will give occasion to clear the air on many points, but it is the promised budget statement, which will be of the greatest value to the country at this juncture. In that document there will be the greatest interest. With the substance of the Government policy then available.' the Opposition would have the opportunity of dealing with realities and more value would be derived by the country. It appears to be the custom to deal with the Speech of the Governor-General as a document of very great moment. Actually most of the ’speakers in criticism remark on the absence of real information. But it is a tradition greatly to he observed to discuss the several subjects, and place on record in Hansard caro-fully-prepared speeches. This course of action appears to he regarded as one of the pleasantries of political procedure, and there is 110 doubt the members so engaged take themselves very seriously in so doing.