GOVERNMENT HAS LITTLE TO FEAR

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6812, 16 January 1929, Page 9

GOVERNMENT HAS LITTLE TO FEAR

Would Gain by New Election

Confidence in the security of the Ward Government was expressed by the Minister of Health (the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) in the course of an interview in Christchurch the other day. “Only a Liberal Administration has the magic touch essential to preserve the economic w r ell-being, ’’ he said. “There is a subtle connection between the United Party and prosperity, and there is no doubt that throughout the whole Dominion a new spirit of optimism, and a returning confidence is rapidly developing.’’ Cabinet was meeting on January 17, but Mr Stallworthy said lie did not care to express an opinion on policy. It was possible that there might bo a short session soon, but it was more likely that Parliament would meet in the ordinary way in June. “We have agreed among ourselves that any important information on policy should be expressed only by the leader,’’ he said. “We work as a team and do not' care to express facts thtat may lead to a divergence of opinion.’’ On being asked wdiat was the likelihood of the present government continuing in office, the Minister said that, while he did not care to go fully into the matter, he would say that the United Party held the balance of power in Parliament. “It is unlikely that there will be a new election in the near future,” he said. “While, of course, we do not wish for another election, we are prepared for it, and are confident that we would be returned w r ith a good working majority. We have the confidence of the people and would gain by a new election.” Discussing the position in the House Mr Stallworthy said that the government had little to fear. Usually when a minority party was in power it ruled only through favour of the other parties, and its policy was often subservient to that of one or other of the other parties. But the United Party was in the strong position of having had the expression of confidence of the people in its new policy. They prepared a programme, which, when presented to the country, was endorsed. As long as they conscientiously and honestly endeavoured to carry out and enforce that programme they should not be prejudiced by either of. the other parties in the House. Neither Labour nor Reform would dare vote against the government on a policy which was part of the programme it submitted to the country. To defeat it an alliance of Reform and Labour would be necessary, and this was improbable, as it would be distasteful to both parties.” Tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), he said, was in good health and was standing up to the strain of his duties in a wonderful manner.