AFFAIRS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 221, 14 August 1930, Page 6

AFFAIRS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

The interest being taken in matters of national importance by members of Parliament. may be gauged from the attendance during the discussion following the statement made, on Monday, by the Prime Minister relating- to his plans when at the conference of Prime Ministers. Reports of the proceedings state that at one time only 18 ffiembers were in the House during the discussions and for long periods only about 20 members w-ere in their seats. The leader of the Reform Party (the Hon. J. G. Coates) and the leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland) each made interesting and important speeches, indicating the line of policy those parties supported. In view of its importance it might have been expected members would take a cfeeper interest in the policy to be followed by our representative at the Premiers’ Conference. The references made by the several speakers' following their leaders were moderate in tone and indicated the direction in which national sentiment -is developing. It is desirable there should be a national outlook on subjects of Empire concern - and discussions such as that under notice are helpful in constructing a national policy and guiding public opinion.