THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. Motto : Public Service. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1937. THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2671, 17 September 1937, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. Motto : Public Service. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1937. THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

THE decision of the Leader of the Opposition to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply recalls the fact that this was a popular course with Labour leaders when they were on the other side of the House. Two years ago Mr Savage moved that there should be an addition made to the formal reply by adding the words: ‘Tn conclusion we deem it our duty to represent to Your Excellency that Your Excellency’s advisers do not possess the confidence of this House.” The debate occupied nearly a week, and the amendment was defeated. Probably Mr Hamilton’s amendment will take the same form, and it certainly will afford scope for a discussion on the widest lines. Two years ago the present Minister of Labour felt called upon to express his views on the leader of the Italian Fascists.. They were not at all complimentary, but had very little to do with New Zealand politics.

The amendment will show how the two members of the Country Party view the legislation of the present Government. In 1935 Captain Rushworth voted with Labour against the National Government. He has had some experience of Labour in office so that his decision will certainly be awaited with widespread interest, and his colleague, Mr A. C. A. -Sexton, who has shown a disposition to criticise the choice. Then there are a few independents in, the House, and it will be interesting to see which lobby they prefer. Two years ago practically all the Independents voted against the Government of the day. Mr Wilkinson was an exception. He supported the Government when the division was taken. Of the Independents who supported the amendment only Messrs Atmore and McDougall remain, and judging by their speeches they will again follow Mr Savage and support Labour.

An amendment of this kind may prolong the debate to some extent, but it has the advantage of bringing members, and especially A those who have no party ties, to a position where they must declare their individual positions. They must weigh the pros with the cons, and by their vote let their constituents know where they stand with regard to the policy and the administration of the Government. There are only four members who will exercise this choice, Messrs Atmore, McDougall, Rushworth and Sexton. Mr Wilkinson has joined the National Party and is one of the most able critics of the Labour Ministry. For the others the division will be strictly along party lines, and the outcome is certain. It is more than two years since Parliament dealt with an amendment of this character, and circumstances have changed. Those who attacked so vigorously in 1935 will now be on the defensive. The role of critic has passed into other hands and will be capably filled. And the members of the Government will not be able to denounce the amendment as a gross waste of time, unless they have forgotten the numerous occasions when, without any prospect of success, they themselves gravely moved a similar amendment, and kept the debate going sometimes for weeks.